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Iraq's parliament deputy speaker says the house's majority has voted to sack a provincial official following the tragic sinking of a ferry in the Tigris River that killed nearly 100 people.

Hassan al-Kaabi told The Associated Press Sunday that the majority of the house's 329 members voted to sack the governor of Nineveh province and his two deputies.

Angry residents of Mosul have protested against Nofal al-Akoub, demanding his firing. The ferry loaded with holidaymakers celebrating the Kurdish and Persian new year, sank on Thursday.

Police official Mazen Abdullah said 97 were killed and 67 remain missing. Abdullah said 55 were rescued.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi ordered an investigation into the incident, which residents blamed on corruption and lack of rescue means. He also called for the governor's sacking.