The sunken Chinese cruise ship Eastern Star is hoisted from murky waters by huge cranes on June 5, 2015, 4 days after the vessel capsizes with more than 450 onboard. [Photo: Xinhua]

RIGHTING THE SHIP

After three days of divers going through cabins and searches of the nearby turbid waters, rescuers on Thursday evening decided to right the vessel.

Equipment had failed to detect any signs of life during the 72 hours after the ship sank, a period widely believed to be crucial in finding survivors.

"There is a slim chance that we may find more survivors inside the hull, but we have made a general assumption that there is no possibility of survival," said Xu Chengguang of the Ministry of Transport.

Xu explained that the decision would help find the missing "in the shortest possible time" and "protect the dignity of the deceased".