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Yangtze ship disaster: 331 confirmed dead Yangtze ship disaster: 396 confirmed dead
(about 7 hours later)
A total of 331 people are now known to have died after a ship overturned in a storm in China's Yangtze River last Monday, state media said. The death toll from the Chinese ferry disaster now stands at 396, the authorities say, as emergency workers search the vessel in the Yangtze River.
Salvagers righted the Eastern Star on Friday after officials said chances of finding anyone alive were slim. The ship, the Eastern Star, capsized in a storm on Monday and was turned upright in an operation on Friday.
Just 14 of the 456 passengers and crew are known to have survived. More than 100 are still missing. Just 14 of the 456 passengers and crew are known to have survived. More than 40 are still missing.
The tragedy looks set to be China's worst shipping disaster in more than 60 years of Communist rule.The tragedy looks set to be China's worst shipping disaster in more than 60 years of Communist rule.
Why did cruise ship capsize?Why did cruise ship capsize?
Hundreds of the bodies were discovered after emergency workers righted the ship with cranes and raised it above the river's currents. Hooks were welded onto the ship and a net stretched around the entire structure in order to lift it by crane.
Hooks were welded onto the ship and a net stretched around the entire structure in order to lift it. Most of the bodies retrieved were inside the vessel. State TV says the focus of the recovery operation is the top and bottom decks of the ship.
By first light on Friday, the ship could be seen lying on its side with its name visible just above the water. Xinhua state news agency later tweeted a picture of the righted vessel, its roof apparently crushed. By first light on Friday, the ship could be seen lying on its side with its name visible just above the water.
Officials said there had been no further signs of life inside the ship, Xinhua news agency reports.Officials said there had been no further signs of life inside the ship, Xinhua news agency reports.
Chinese President Xi Jinping promised a thorough investigation into the cause of the disaster, after angry relatives protested at the scene.Chinese President Xi Jinping promised a thorough investigation into the cause of the disaster, after angry relatives protested at the scene.
Authorities tightly controlled access to the site, leading family members and journalists to complain about a lack of information.Authorities tightly controlled access to the site, leading family members and journalists to complain about a lack of information.
The Eastern StarThe Eastern Star
In pictures: Ship righted
Yangtze River tragedy on trip of a lifetimeYangtze River tragedy on trip of a lifetime
Could Mei-yu weather front be behind disaster?Could Mei-yu weather front be behind disaster?
Questions raised over Eastern Star's sinkingQuestions raised over Eastern Star's sinking
Most of the 14 people known to have survived jumped from the ship as it began to sink. Three were rescued by divers from air pockets in the upturned hull.Most of the 14 people known to have survived jumped from the ship as it began to sink. Three were rescued by divers from air pockets in the upturned hull.
The cause of the sinking is not yet known, but survivors have spoken of an intense storm which flipped the boat over in minutes.The cause of the sinking is not yet known, but survivors have spoken of an intense storm which flipped the boat over in minutes.
The captain and chief engineer, who were among those who escaped, have since been detained.The captain and chief engineer, who were among those who escaped, have since been detained.
Maritime agency records showed the ship was investigated for safety violations two years ago. It was held alongside five other vessels in 2013 over safety concerns.Maritime agency records showed the ship was investigated for safety violations two years ago. It was held alongside five other vessels in 2013 over safety concerns.
China's deadliest maritime disaster in recent decades was in November 1999, when the Dashun ferry caught fire and capsized in the sea off Shandong province, killing about 280.China's deadliest maritime disaster in recent decades was in November 1999, when the Dashun ferry caught fire and capsized in the sea off Shandong province, killing about 280.
The Eastern Star could become China's deadliest boat accident since the SS Kiangya sank off Shanghai in 1948, killing somewhere between 2,750 and 4,000 people.The Eastern Star could become China's deadliest boat accident since the SS Kiangya sank off Shanghai in 1948, killing somewhere between 2,750 and 4,000 people.