Ljubljana - Rescuers in Slovenia found a ninth body Sunday from a boating accident that claimed 13 lives three days ago, local media reported.

The bodies of eight people from two canoes which capsized in the Sava River on Thursday had already been found, including Kristijan Janc, the mayor of Sevenica, a town 70 kilometres south-east of the capital Ljubljana. Janc organized the canoeing event.

Rescuers found the ninth body Saturday night near the new hydroelectric plant at Sevenica.

Police have said there is no hope that the missing four will be found alive.

Janc's plan was to paddle downstream before the new plant at Sevenica became operational, effectively closing the river. The accident happened when the canoes went over the threshold of the dam and down a concrete slope into deep, swirling waters.

The rescuers now plan to seek help from neighboring Croatia in retrieving the remaining bodies. (dpa)