China Ship Disaster Death Toll Jumps, Company Says Sorry

The death toll from a Chinese cruise ship which capsized during a storm in the Yangtze River jumped to 396 on Saturday, leaving fewer than 50 still missing, as the boat operator apologized and said it would cooperate with investigations.

Only 14 survivors, one of them the captain, have been found after the ship carrying 456 overturned in a freak tornado on Monday night.

Rescuers are searching the cabin of the ship, which was righted and raised on Friday, looking for more bodies.

The top and bottom floors of the four-level ship are the current focus of the search, but because of the level of damage it may take some time to complete, state television said.

Jiang Zhao, general manager of the company which operated the Eastern Star, bowed in apology for the disaster during an interview with state media reported late on Friday, saying they would “fully” cooperate with the investigation.

Source : Reuters