YANGON, Myanmar?- A crowded double-decker ferry capsized in northwestern Myanmar after being slammed by huge waves, killing at least 21 people with nearly 50 others missing, officials said Saturday.

Rescuers pulled 167 people from the sea and brought them to safety after the Aung Tagun 3 went down near Myebon in Rakhine state late Friday, the Ministry of Information said in a statement.

The 47 people still unaccounted included about 30 women, it said.

Boat accidents due to overcrowding and bad weather are common in Myanmar's river deltas and coastal regions. People rely on boat transport because of the lower cost and inaccessibility of many areas by road.