The Reuters news agency reports that 396 bodies have been recovered and 14 persons have been confirmed as saved.
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A Chinese river cruise vessel has capsized last night in freak weather condition whilst en route from Nanjing to Chongqing, a voyage of 1,500 kilometres. Alan Lam reports.
Owned and operated by Chongqing Eastern Shipping Corporation, the 76-metre vessel, Eastern Star (东方之星), was carrying about 458 people, most of them senior citizens on a weeklong cruise, when it overturned in the Damazhou section of the river at about 21.30 local time (13.30 GMT). The captain is reported to have said that the ship was struck by a cyclone or some kind of tornado. The ship had sent no emergency signal. Alarm was raised by several passengers who had swum ashore and alerted the police.
By daylight five people were confirmed dead with hundreds still missing. The ship is currently floating upside down on a wide stretch of the river. Calls for help have been heard from the inside the vessel. The rescue effort is continuing and the weather condition remains inclement.
The master has been detained by the police.
