Yangtze ferry disaster: Chinese ferry sinks with 458 on board; passengers heard calling for help from inside capsized hull
A passenger ship carrying 458 people, mainly elderly Chinese tourists, has sunk in the Yangtze river in what could be one of China’s worst disasters in years.
State media reported some passengers were still alive inside the ferry, as rescue workers heard passengers calling for help from inside the four-deck ship.
The official Hubei Daily said five bodies had so far been recovered from the vessel.
five bodies had so far been recovered from the vessel.
The ship, named Eastern Star, was headed from Nanjing to Chongqing when it sunk in the Jianli section of the river.
State media reported at least 12 people had been rescued, including the captain and chief engineer, who both said the vessel had been caught in a cyclone.
The captain and chief engineer were both detained by police for questioning, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
state broadcaster CCTV said there were 406 Chinese passengers, five travel agency workers and 47 crew members.
It said 97 of the passengers were travelling with the Shanghai Xiehe Travel Agency, which has reportedly not opened its doors since news of the capsize.
The cause of the sinking was not immediately clear, but Xinhua cited rescuers who said the ship was not overloaded and was equipped with sufficient life jackets.
State radio reported the ship sank within about two minutes and no distress call had been issued.
The cause of the sinking was not immediately clear, but Xinhua cited rescuers who said the ship was not overloaded and was equipped with sufficient life jackets.
State radio reported the ship sank within about two minutes and no distress call had been issued.
People’s Daily said seven people had swum to shore to raise the alarm.
According to CCTV, the vessel — which was 76.5 metres long — was capable of carrying up to 534 people, and was owned by a firm that operated tours in the region of the Three Gorges dam.
capsized hull with a blow torch, apparently preparing to cut into the ship, while dozens of rescue boats battled strong wind and heavy rain to reach the stricken vessel.
At least 20 divers were also on their way to the scene and about 100 fishing boats were helping in rescue efforts, according to Hubei Daily.
Xinhua reported more than 1,000 armed police officers were dispatched to the site in Hubei Province.
hampering the continuing search for survivors, with weather forecasts predicting the heavy rain will continue.
Xinhua said Chinese president Xi Jinping issued an order for “all out rescue efforts” while premier Li Keqiang ordered a work team from the State Council, China’s Cabinet, to direct search and rescue work.
Premier Li, Vice Premier Ma Kai and State Councilor Yang Jing were on their way to the site.
Xi meanwhile ordered the provinces of Hubei and Chongqing to participate and in Xinhua’s description “properly handle the aftermath”.
China’s transport ministry and other government departments were also told to throw all available resources into the rescue effort and for the treatment of those saved.
A total of 22 people, including eight foreigners, were killed when a tugboat sank on the river between the eastern cities of Jingjiang and Zhangjiagang in January.
After the January accident, the provincial government said the boat was undergoing trials without properly complying with government regulations.telegraph.co.uk
