Hundreds Missing after Ship Capsizes in Central China

Five bodies have been retrieved and at least 30 people rescued, including the captain and the ship's chief engineer - who have both been detained - according to state media reports.

Hours after the incident, the People's Daily reported that more passengers were still alive and inside the Eastern Star.

The paper said the body of a tour guide had been retrieved.

The Yangtze River navigation administration said the ship was submerged and turned upside down after capsizing during a cyclone at Jianli in Hubei province.

Seven people swam to the shore and alerted police after the shipwreck, CCTV reported.

State media also reported that more than 2,100 soldiers and policemen were taking part in search and rescue operations, which were complicated by strong winds and heavy rain. More than 150 ships were also involved.

Most of the passengers were said to be tourists aged between 50 and 80 years old, who were about to go to sleep as the vessel sank.

Xinhua said there were 405 Chinese passengers, five travel agency workers and 47 crew members on board the ship that was en route from Nanjing to Chongqing.

President Xi Jinping asked that no efforts be spared in search and rescue operations, and Premier Li Keqiang travelled to the area.