China Yangtze tragedy: Death toll rises to 331

The death toll from the Chinese cruise ship which sank in the Yangtze River on 1 June has risen to 331 after the vessel was hoisted out of its river.

Around 100 people are still missing, according to Reuters, quoting the official People's Daily. Rescuers are searching the cabin of the ship for more bodies, the agency added.

Jiang Zhao, the general manager of the company which operated the vessel, Eastern Star, bowed in apology during an interview with state media, saying that the company will fully co-operate with the investigation.

Of the 456 people on board, there were only 14 survivors.

The search operation involves nearly 150 ships, 59 machines, more than 3,400 Chinese troops and 1,700 paramilitary, CNN reported, quoting Xinhua.