China: Relatives of Eastern Star victims face agonising wait for information

Relatives of the victims of Monday's Yangtze River catastrophe waited anxiously for information about the fate of their family members and friends, in Shanghai Tuesday. Only 13 people out of over 400 passengers, as well as around 50 crew members, had been declared rescued at the time of writing. The vessel, named Dongfangzhixing (Eastern Star), sank in the Yangtze River, close to the city of Chongqing, Monday night as it was heading from the city of Nanjing to Chongqing. Rescue operations began during the night. According to the Ministry of Transport, five people have been confirmed dead. Rescuers report that they have heard survivors crying for help from inside the ship and are continuing operations to save them. The captain and chief engineer of the Dongfangzhixing, who are among the rescued, reportedly declared that their boat sank after being hit by a cyclone. Both are now in police custody.