Leaders of many countries and organizations have sent condolences over a cruise ship tragedy, which could be the worst ship accident in China in decades.[Special coverage]
Russian President Vladimir Putin, South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva, King Philip of Belgium, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have respectively extended their condolences to either Chinese President Xi Jinping or Premier Li Keqiang.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and EU foreign affairs and security policy chief Federica Mogherini also conveyed their condolences.
Officials of the United States, Spain, Australia, Afghanistan, South Africa and Guinea-Bissau sent their condolences to Chinese government and people as well.
A cruise liner, Eastern Star, carrying more than 450 people capsized Monday night in the Hubei section of the Yangtze River. Latest official figures have confirmed 77 deaths with 14 survivors having been rescued.
