Shanghai Salvage Bureau and Donghai Rescue Bureau have jointly sent a group of 24 people to the Yangtze River for rescue work of Dongfangzhixing. The group includes 4 commanders, 4 technical engineers and 16 experienced divers.

“Given the information we have collected, the situation is hardly optimistic,” said Huang Jianwei, director of Shanghai Maritime Safety Bureau's Navigable Water Management Department. “But we will not give up hope and try the best.”

Dongfangzhixing (Eastern Star) was hit by a cyclone during its voyage and sank in the Yangtze River on Monday evening. The bureau said the cyclone is confirmed to be of force 9.2.