Chinese Ship Carrying Hundreds of Passengers Sinks in Yangtze River

A passenger ship carrying more than 444 people sank overnight in China’s Yangtze River, according to state media reports.

The ship, named Eastern Star, was headed towards China’s Southwestern city of Chongqing carrying 397 passengers, 42 crew members, and five travel agency workers.  According to Xinhua News Agency, it sank at 1:30PM GMT (8:30 EST) on Monday morning.

Eight people have been saved and rescue efforts are ongoing, Xinhua reported, though there were complications due to strong winds and heavy rain.