A rescue operation is underway on China’s Yangtze River after a passenger ferry sank on Monday evening.

There were reported to be at least four-hundred-and-fifty people on board the vessel, called the Eastern Star, when it ran into trouble in Hubei Province during a cyclone.

The ferry was travelling from Nanjing in eastern China to Chongqing city.

The captain and chief engineer have reportedly been rescued and said the ferry sank quickly.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is said to be on his way to the area.