British tourists were among hundreds of holidaymakers rescued when a ferry capsized in Laos.

The vessel was carrying around 120 passengers when it struck a rock and partially sank while travelling to Luang Prabang on Thursday afternoon.

Terrified passengers scrambled across the roof of the sinking ferry onto a passing barge that rescued them. Miraculously, nobody was dragged away by the fast-flowing currents.

Traveller Kob Phommachan said the accident happened at around 3 pm during a journey along the Mekong River near Tam Ting Cave in Pak Ou District.

Kob said: 'Our trip started in Huay Xay, with an overnight stop in Pak Beng. Today, we continued from Pak Beng to Luang Prabang.

'There were around 120 foreign tourists on board and around 10 local villagers who boarded along the way. I was the only Lao backpacker on the ferry.'

Reports said the passengers included backpackers from China, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Kob added: 'The boat hit a rock and suddenly tilted before partially sinking. Everyone was shocked. At that moment, I even thought I was going to die.

'Luckily, we were all rescued safely. No one was injured, but most of our belongings were lost. I think around 70 to 80 per cent of the passengers' luggage sank into the river.'

Locals and passing boat operators later helped ferry passengers from the riverbank to Luang Prabang town.

Boat pilot Sisuphan Phommala, who was travelling nearby, said he assisted with the rescue after noticing the ferry capsize.

He said: 'I was passing by when I saw the boat sinking. I immediately took passengers onto our boat and helped bring them to safety.'

Footage shows travellers being pulled from the water as they attempt to recover belongings from the overturned ferry.

Kob can also be heard asking survivors whether their bags were missing.

One backpacker said: 'I think I lost my backpack and I will never see it again.'

Another traveller added: 'It's gone. In the river. It's sunk to the bottom.'

Authorities are investigating the incident.