NEW : It was like hitting a rock or a lighthouse , a passenger says . NEW : Rescue workers continue to search for survivors near the sinking vessel . Death toll from the accident near Lamma Island rises to 36 , Hong Kong authorities say . One of the vessels , owned by The Hong Kong Electric Company , was carrying company employees and their families to watch the scheduled fireworks display when it was struck by a passenger ferry traveling from Hong Kong Island to Lamma . Passengers jump into boats ; more than 100 people have been rescued so far .
NEW : It was like hitting a rock or a lighthouse , a passenger says . NEW : Rescue workers continue to search for survivors near the sinking vessel . Death toll from the accident near Lamma Island rises to 36 , Hong Kong authorities say . Passengers jump into boats ; more than 100 people have been rescued so far .