By Euro Weekly News Media • Published: 02 Jun 2015 • 11:29
A CRUISE SHIP carrying 458 people has sunk in the Damazhou waterway section of the Yangtze River in China’s Hubei province, reportedly in bad weather. The Yangtze River is the world’s third longest river and is known to reach depths of 50ft.The majority of those on board were tourists aged between 50 to 80, who were travelling from the eastern city of Nanjing to Chongqing in the southwest.According to reports, no emergency signal was sent and the alarm was raised by passengers who managed to swim ashore.The captain and the chief engineer of the boat, the Eastern Star, say the boat got caught up in a cyclone. Both men have been apprehended for further questioning.Emergency workers are currently trying to free passengers trapped inside the capsized ship, but strong winds and heavy rain are making the rescue mission very difficult.Thus far, 14 people have been rescued and those who have suffered minor injuries have been taken to hospital, reported Chinese media.In an effort to gain control over the situation and the information being leaked to the media, the government has prevented local journalists from getting close.China Central Television (CCTV) reports that thousands of soldiers and rescue personnel have been sent to the scene of the accident, and a high-powered salvage ship is on the way to pull the capsized boat upright.Chinese premier Li Keqiang is also there, according to the Chinese state newspaper People’s Daily.
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