‘Cries for help’ heard from passengers trapped on capsized Chinese ferry

Rescuers say they have heard cries for help coming from within the hull of a ship that capsized on China’s Yangtze River with 458 people on board. The Eastern Star ship is reported to have sunk rapidly on Monday at around 9.28pm local time in the Jianli section of the river. Seven people have managed to swim to shore and around 14 have been rescued in what could be one of China’s worst shipping disasters. The ship’s hull is still visible in the river where the water is about 15 metres deep. Around 48 boats and 3,000 people are understood to be involved in the search effort.

The added tragedy is that many Chinese people are unable to swim; it’s not something many of them learn as children.

Sky’s Asia Correspondent Mark Stone

Search teams seen banging on the upturned hull of the ship with a hammer say they have heard sounds of life and they are thought to be trying to save five more passengers trapped inside. Dozens of boats are helping in the search for passengers although poor weather is hampering rescue efforts. Chinese media have reported that the Three Gorges dam - the world’s largest - is slowing down its turbines to help the operation by reducing the water flow in the river. So far, officials say five bodies have been recovered, while pictures of the search for survivors show workers finding bodies at three different locations along the Yangtze River.

Asia-Pacific yangtze