2015年CRI 载450余人客轮在长江倾覆 韩国出现2例MERS死亡病例（在线收听）

More than 30 people have reportedly been rescued after a passenger ship with more than 450 people on board capsized on the Yangtze River.

The captain and the chief engineer are among those saved and both have claimed the ship sank quickly after being caught in a cyclone as it's sailing in the central provine of Hubei.

Maritime official said the ship was carrying mostly tourists during a sightseeing trip from the eastern city of Nanjing to Chongqing in the southwest.

All the passengers onboard are believed to be Chinese nationals.

More than ten ships are involved in the rescue operation.

However, gales and heavy rains are said to be hampering the effort.

President Xi Jinping has called for all-out efforts in the search and rescue operation.

Premier Li Keqiang is heading a central government team to Hubei to join the rescue work.

The Yangtze River is a popular domestic travel route.

South Korea's health ministry has confirmed two deaths from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, the first fatalities in the country from the deadly virus.

A 58-year-old woman died Monday while being treated as a suspected case of MERS. Tests later came back positive for the virus.

The other victim was a 71-year-old man who had tested positive for MERS several days ago.

The total number of people diagnosed with the virus in South Korea has increased to 25.

More than 680 people have now been quarantined or put under special observation.