BEIJING, Dec 30 (Reuters) – A proper inquiry has concluded that freak climate led to the sinking of a Yangtze River cruise ship in June that killed 442 individuals and really helpful that the captain be investigated for doable crimes, media reported on Thursday.

A cupboard-level investigation group concluded the catastrophe was “caused by strong winds and heavy rains resulting from a squall line accompanied by a downburst, a very rare weather phenomenon”, the Xinhua state information company mentioned, citing investigators.

The inquiry additionally uncovered issues within the delivery firm’s administration and regulatory supervision, and investigators had “suggested” 43 individuals be punished, Xinhua added.

Only 12 individuals survived when the Eastern Star capsized throughout the storm on June 1. Many of the passengers have been aged vacationers. It was China’s worst delivery catastrophe in seven many years.

While the captain, Zhang Shunwen, tried to stabilise the ship it was overwhelmed by the sudden burst of wind and rain, and it took only a minute or so for it to flip over, Xinhua mentioned.

But the captain was additionally unaware of the dangers related to the acute climate, it added.

Zhang ought to have his ship captaining {qualifications} cancelled and authorized our bodies ought to look into whether or not he’s suspected of any crime, it mentioned, with out elaborating.

The information company didn’t determine the opposite 43 individuals really helpful for punishment, however mentioned they need to get administrative punishments.

The delivery firm has additionally been closed whereas it carries out “rectifications”, it added.

An preliminary investigation discovered that the ship was not overloaded and had sufficient life vests on board.

Experts who helped with the probe mentioned a twister, which had been regarded as the reason for the catastrophe, hit a close-by port minutes earlier than the ship sank, however didn’t have an effect on the river itself, Xinhua mentioned.

“The investigation also ruled out speculation that the Eastern Star was in a hurry before the accident occurred, as the bus scheduled to pick up the ship passengers in the next stop was late and the ship was actually slowing down its speed,” it added.

The authorities has pledged there can be “no cover-up”. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Robert Birsel)

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