The European External Action Service (EEAS) spokesperson here on Tuesday expressed condolences over the sinking of a Chinese passenger ferry in the Yangtze River in China, saying the accident was a major tragedy.[Special coverage]
"Our thoughts go to the families of those who have lost loved ones and our condolences go to the Chinese people. We hope that rescue efforts will be successful in saving those still missing," said a EEAS spokesperson statement.
The capsized ferry, called Dongfangzhixing, or Eastern Star, sank at around 9:28 p.m. Monday local time (1528 GMT) in the Yangtze River in the central Chinese province of Hubei.
Carrying 406 passengers, five travel agency staff and 47 crew members, the ship was heading from Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, to southwest China's Chongqing city.
Thirteen of the 458 people on board the capsized ship had been rescued as of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Chinese Ministry of Transport.
