Hundreds of rescue workers stand towards the battered boat during a three-minute silent tribute to the victims at around 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2015. (Photo/China News Service)
[Latest update: Eastern Star death toll reaches 431]
The death toll from a Chinese cruise ship which capsized during a storm in the Yangtze River reached 406 on Sunday, leaving fewer than 40 still missing, as officials and rescuers bowed in mourning towards the battered boat. [Special coverage]
Only 14 survivors, one of them the captain, have been found after the ship carrying 456 overturned in a freak tornado on Monday night in Jianli in Hubei province. Most of the passengers were elderly tourists.
The four-storied ship was righted and raised on Friday, allowing rescuers onto it to clear away debris, break down cabin doors and look for the remaining missing.
Sunday marks seven days since the Eastern Star went down, and according to Chinese tradition this is a key date on which to mourn the dead.
State television showed hundreds of rescue workers and government officials standing on the deck of a barge facing the Eastern Star during a three-minute silent tribute to the victims at around 9 am Sunday. They removed their hats and bowed their heads, as surrounding boats sounded their horns.
Families members are also expected to gather on the river banks for ceremonies.
The company which operated the ship has already apologised for the disaster.
Jiang Zhao, general manager of the company which operated the Eastern Star, bowed in apology for the disaster during an interview with state television broadcast on Saturday, saying they would "fully" cooperate with the investigation.
Beijing has pledged there would be "no cover-up" in the probe.
Police have detained the captain and chief engineer for questioning as part of the investigation. An initial probe found the ship was not overloaded and had enough life vests on board.
The disaster is China's worst shipping catastrophe in seven decades.
More than 2,000 family members have come to Jianli.
The government says that it is doing everything possible to help the relatives, including providing free accommodation and medical services.
