Divers continue search for survivors of overturned cruise ship


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JIANLI, China (AP) — State media in China say divers have pulled three people alive from inside an overturned cruise ship, and they're continuing the search for more survivors.

The official news agency says 15 people were brought to safety, and at least five people are confirmed dead. But well over 400 others are still missing on the Yangtze River.

Many of those on board were elderly.

The survivors included the ship's captain and chief engineer. State broadcaster CCTV says they were both taken into custody. Relatives of the passengers are questioning whether the captain did enough to ensure their safety. The two crew members are quoted as saying that the ship sank quickly after being caught in a fierce storm.

Some survivors swam ashore, but others were rescued after search teams climbed aboard the upside-down hull and heard people yelling for help from inside, more than 12 hours after the ship overturned.

A military commander says 13 navy divers are on the scene, and another 170 are on their way.

The capsized ship has drifted downstream -- and one expert says that's a good sign for rescuers, since it means there is enough air inside to give it buoyancy. And that could mean there are enough air pockets for survivors to breathe.

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