With the recovery of seven more bodies from the swollen Bagdi river on Thursday, the death toll in the Khategaon bus mishap here has risen to 21.

"Seven more bodies were recovered this morning from the river into which the overcrowded private bus plunged last evening," Ujjain Commissioner, Mr T. Dharma Rao, said.

Fourteen bodies were recovered from the spot till Thursday night and rescue operations are still on to trace the missing persons, he said, adding 40 people have been rescued so far.

The accident occurred when the victims were on their way to Chapda after taking a dip in Narmada river at Nemawar on the occasion of 'Amavasya'. Several persons are feared to have swept away or drowned in the overflowing Bagri river near Khategaon here, as windscreens of the bus got damaged and were washed away in the strong currents.

"The exact number of missing persons will be known only after the rescue operation is over," Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Mr Pramod Sonkar, said from the spot.

Former Congress MLA from Khategaon/Kannod area, Kailash Kundal feared that the toll could rise as passengers who swam to safety told him that the 52-seater bus was overcrowded with nearly 25-30 persons standing inside and another 15-20 sitting on the rooftop.