Chi boat capsize: Five confirmed dead

Beijing, June 2: A passenger ship, carrying more than 450 people, capsized in Chi’s Yangtze River late Monday night after it was caught in a cyclonic storm, authorities said adding that barely a score of people had been rescued by Tuesday. Of the 20 people rescued, five later succumbed in hospital, Chinese official media said adding that rescue teams attempted to enter the capsized boat from where voices and sounds have been heard.

The ship, med Dongfangzhixing, or Eastern Star, sank at around 9.30 p.m. on Monday in the Jianli — Hubei province — section of the Yangtze River, Xinhua reported, citing the river vigation administration.

A total of 20 people had been rescued by Tuesday off the passenger ship that carried 458 people — including 47 crew members, authorities said.

Chinese official media said five of the rescued passengers later died, while more than 400 continue to be reported missing as rescue teams attempted to enter the capsized boat from where voices and sounds have been heard.

The vessel — belonging to a shipping company in Chongqing — was heading to Chongqing city from njing, capital of Jiangsu Province.

Among the survivors of the occupants of the boat were the captain and the chief engineer, according to the official newspaper People’s Daily. (IANS)

Top Headlines

No stories found.
Sentinel Assam
www.sentinelassam.com