The death toll from the capsized Eastern Star passenger ship in the Yangtze River has reached 434 people. At least eight people are still missing.

According to Xinhua, two bodies were recovered by rescuers inside the Chinese cruise ship that capsized in Hubei Province, reducing the total number of missing people to eight. The report also noted that just 14 people have been found alive. 

Like Us on Facebook

More than a thousand of Chinese soldiers and paramilitary staffs are reportedly working as part of the rescue team. Hundreds of vessels, a helicopter and other necessary machines were also there to help. 

The report added that China's Vice Premier Ma Kai consoled relatives of the victims of the capsized cruise ship.

Mourning ceremonies have been held to commemorate the deaths of hundreds of people as the rescue operations reached a seventh day on Sunday, according to BBC News. More than 1,400 members of victims' families are expected to gather in the actual site near the Yangtze River to initiate memorial ceremonies for the victims.

Kenyan experts have lauded the Chinese government's response to the tragedy. Global Times reported that the strategic and well coordinated rescue mission serves as a lesson to the developing countries.

"What is impressive is the abrupt response from Chinese authorities on the disaster. The Chinese government was quick to mobilize personnel and infrastructure to boost rescue effort," diplomacy scholar Martin Nguru said in an interview with Xinhua. 

Despite ideological differences, Nguru said that the international community still leaped to express sympathy with China.

TagsChinese cruise ship disaster, Chinese cruise ship tragedy, cruise ship death toll, Chinses rescue mission a lesson, rescue mission lesson for developing countries, Eastern Star death toll