Hundreds missing in shipwreck, captain detained
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E-mail China.org.cn, June 2, 2015
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Rescuers listen for sounds of life inside the capsized ship. [Photo: CCTV] |
Three more people have been taken onshore after rescuers cut open part of the capsized ship on Tuesday afternoon in the Yangtze River.
The ship, carrying 458 people, departed from the eastern Chinese city Nanjing and is bound for Chongqing Municipality in southwest China, sank after being caught in a cyclone at around 9:28 p.m. Monday in the Jianli (Hubei Province) section of the Yangtze River.
So far, a total of 15 people have been rescued from the capsized ship, and another five were confirmed dead. Rescuers said there could be more survivors.
Around 12:56 p.m., a 65 years old woman was rescued and has been sent to a local hospital, rescuers said.
She was still able to talk but cannot speak clearly after being saved. Her clothes were broken, yet she was found to have no major injuries after accepting a CT check.
Around 3:10 p.m., another male passenger was rescued. He has been in stable health conditions, according to rescuers.
Premier Li asked the rescuers to seize every second, battle the fatigue and challenge the extremes, saying the rescue of a senior citizen a miracle for life and rescue.
He asked the authorities to update the media of latest progress every hour.
The initial investigation shows the ship has not been overloaded. The captain and the chief engineer have been detained by local police with Yangtze River navigation.
Rescuers are still battling strong winds and downpour to hunt for the missing others.
Based on monitoring data, the maximun wind speed in Jianli county reached 16.4 meters per second and the wind force hit level 12 at the night on June 1.
The meteorological department of Hubei province predicts moderate or heavy rain today with light northerly wind. The rain will lessen in following days. The weather is being monitored closedly to help the rescue work.
China's Central Television (CCTV) said the ship drifted three kilometers after it capsized. Currently the shipping route on the Yangtze River is not affected but restrictions have been imposed to help the rescue operation.
Yin Jiaheng, a geological expert in Najing, told reporters that he had planned to travel with the family of an ex-classmate on the ship, but cancelled the trip due to heart diseases.
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