Sudden and extreme weather conditions capsized a Yangtze River cruiser and left 442 people dead, a central government investigation has found.

The investigation, led by the State Administration of Work Safety and 10 other government departments, also called for an early warning system to be set up for extreme weather on rivers.

Strong winds and heavy rain resulting from a squall line sank the Eastern Star, according to a statement published on the watchdog's website on Wednesday.