An official probe into Yangtze cruise ship tragedy concluded that the incident was caused by unusual and extreme weather conditions.
Nearly 450 people were drowned when a four-storey cruise ship -Eastern Star- capsized in Yangtze River on June 1, according to CNN. The disaster - one of the China's deadliest boat disaster in last three decades - left 442 passengers dead. Only 12 people, including five crew members and captain, survived the deadly mishap.
The official investigation report, published by the State Council, said that the incident was an "extraordinarily serious disaster" caused by strong winds and heavy rains resulting from a squall line accompanied by a downburst, which the investigation team referred to as an extremely rare weather phenomenon, according to Xinhua news agency.
The inquiry report also held 43 people from vessel's owner company Chongqing Eastern Shipping Co. and local authorities responsible for the disaster, BBC News reported.
It also recommended the revocation of Captain Zhang Shunwen's license and the termination of his contract, Radio Free Asia reported.
"We also find that our ships are unable to deal with such a strong wind. We can learn from the disaster that we must improve the quality audit system on boat design, construction, and remodeling," Shan Chunchang from the State Council said, according to CCTV.
