China recaptures sunken ship carrying 458 people

Throughout last night and this morning (June 5), rescue forces in China struggled to turn the tourist boat that sank on the Yangtze River in Hubei on June 1.

Local people in Giam Loi join in lighting candles to pray for the victims of the shipwreck - Photo: AFP

According to AFP, this is considered the last effort to search for survivors.

China Central Television showed footage showing two large cranes being used to turn the Eastern Star right-side up. Large crane hooks were attached to the wreck in preparation for turning the 76.5m-long ship.

However, this is a risky job because it can destabilize the ship and cause it to sink deeper into the river.

Large cranes are ready to turn the ship upright on June 4 - Photo: AFP

Xinhua said diving, rescue, relief and ship design experts were at the scene to assist.

China's Transport Ministry said the refloating of the ship was carried out scientifically.

A spokesman for China's Ministry of Transport said on the night of June 4 that lifting and re-righting the ship would help search for the missing people in the shortest possible time.

The ship began to be turned over this morning, June 5 - Photo: Reuters

Earlier, efforts to cut the ship's hold to rescue people inside were halted due to bad weather.

Heavy rain continues to hamper rescue operations and murky river water makes it difficult for divers to search under the wreck.

There are now 82 confirmed deaths in the disaster.

(According to TTO)