Rescuers have recovered most of the bodies of those who perished after a cruise ship sank in the Yangtze River, Chinese local media reported Saturday.
The confirmed death toll rose to 396 after salvage workers using two large cranes righted the capsized vessel late Friday, the report said.
The boat was hoisted and drained before rescuers continued the search for bodies inside, according to the report.
Liu Xiaowu of Guangzhou Military Command confirmed the retrieval of the body of a 3 year old toddler after the ship was lifted today (Saturday).
Chinese state media report says this brings the total number of bodies found so far to 396. Fourteen people were rescued shortly after the accident while an additional 46 people remain unaccounted for.Hopes of finding more people alive have since faded, leaving a likely total death toll of 442.
The Eastern Star was carrying 456 people on a river cruise from Nanjing in eastern China to the south-western city of Chongqing when it sank in Jianli, of Hubei province on Monday.
The captain, who survived the sinking along with the chief engineer, said the ship sank in a matter of seconds, but his account has not been verified.
The rescue and recovery operation involves nearly 150 other ships, 59 machines, 3,400 Chinese troops and 1,700 paramilitary personnel according to state news agency Xinhua.
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