14 rescued in Yangtze shipwreck, 424 remain missing
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E-mail Xinhua, June 3, 2015
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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang encourages rescue workers to search for more survivors aboard the passenger ship that sank in the Yangtze River on Monday night. [Photo: weibo.com] |
Rescue
Chinese President Xi Jinping has despatched a State Council work team to the site to guide the search and rescue work, and ordered all-out efforts.
Premier Li Keqiang, who is at the scene, has asked rescuers to seize every second, battle fatigue and challenge the extremes.
At about noon, A 65-year-old woman was able to swim out of the wreckage after divers gave her breathing apparatus.
A 21-year-old man was found trapped in a small compartment. He was also given diving apparatus and swam out by himself at about 3 p.m.
The Three Gorges Dam, located up-stream from the site of the accident, has limited water flow to counteract the rising water level caused by the persistent rain.
The divers said ongoing rescue efforts had been complicated by the intricate layout of the vessel, as well as adverse weather condition.
A 500-ton salvage vessel has arrived at the site, and another one of same size is scheduled to arrive Wednesday morning.
The 76.5-meter ship can carry up to 534 people. Tickets for the cruise cost from 1,098 yuan (177 U.S. dollars) to 2,298 yuan.
Passengers visit attractions during the daytime and return in the evening as the ship travels to the next port overnight. The agency arranging the tour marketed it toward senior citizens.
On Monday, the passengers visited Chibi (the Red Cliffs), a famous ancient battlefield. On Tuesday, the tourists were scheduled to visit Jingzhou City.
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