The death toll from a Chinese cruise ship which capsized during a storm in the Yangtze River has reached 431, with 11 still missing, as officials and rescuers mourn the dead.

Only 14 survivors, one of them the captain, have been found after the ship carrying 456 overturned in a freak tornado on Monday night in Jianli, Hubei province.

Most of the passengers were elderly tourists.

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Government spokesman Hu Kaihong told reporters that DNA tests were being carried out to identify the bodies.

The four-storey ship was righted and raised on Friday, allowing rescuers onto it to clear away debris, break down cabin doors and look for the remaining missing.

Officials have also extended their search area for victims that may have been swept far beyond the accident site.

The search scope was extended to 1300 kilometres of the Yangtze, Asia’s longest river, in the hope of finding those still unaccounted for, Xinhua reported.

Rescuers right the Eastern Star cruise ship.

A government spokesman said on Thursday that no further survivors were expected to be found.

Sunday marks seven days since the Eastern Star went down, and according to Chinese tradition it is a key date on which to mourn the dead.

State television showed rescue workers and government officials standing on the deck of a barge facing the Eastern Star, removing their hats and bowing their heads, as surrounding boats sounded their horns.

Families members are also expected to gather on the river banks for ceremonies.

The heavy toll makes the sinking China’s worst shipping disaster since 1948, when up to 4000 on board the SS Kiangya were killed when it sank near Shanghai.

Company apologises as investigation continues

The company which operated the ship has already apologised for the disaster.

Jiang Zhao, general manager of the company which operated the Eastern Star, bowed in apology for the disaster during an interview with state television broadcast on Saturday, saying they would “fully” cooperate with the investigation.

Police have detained the captain and chief engineer for questioning after an initial probe found the ship was not overloaded and had enough life vests on board.

More than 1400 family members have come to Jianli, with many expressing frustration at the lack of information from the government.

Beijing has pledged there would be “no cover-up” in its probe.

The government says that it is doing everything possible to help the relatives, including providing free accommodation and medical services.