A tourist ship, named the Eastern Star, capsized in the Yangtze River in Hubei province, China, while carrying 458 people, including passengers and crew members. The tragedy occurred during a fierce storm that reportedly hit the vessel with high winds and waves, causing it to lose stability. Within moments, the ship overturned in the river, leading to a catastrophic loss of life. The initial response saw rescue teams dispatched immediately, but reports indicated that many passengers were trapped inside the submerged vessel. The situation was compounded by poor weather conditions, limiting visibility for rescue operations.

In the immediate aftermath, divers were deployed to search for survivors, and a significant number of bodies were recovered from the river. Of the 458 individuals aboard, only 12 were rescued, highlighting the harrowing scale of the disaster. The ship had been on a river cruise, and many aboard were elderly tourists. Eyewitness accounts described panic and chaos as people struggled to escape the sinking vessel.

This incident raised serious questions about maritime safety regulations in China and the management of waterway travel. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing revealed inadequate safety measures onboard, prompting a nationwide review of similar vessels. As the search concluded and details emerged, it became apparent that the loss of life was one of the worst maritime disasters in recent Chinese history, drawing attention to the need for improved safety standards in the tourism industry.