Relatives gather to wait for news of rescue efforts

More than 100 relatives of the 204 Jiangsu residents aboard the capsized Yangtze River cruise ship gathered in Nanjing's Shijiyuan Hotel on Tuesday to wait for information about the rescue and recovery efforts.

A man, surnamed Gan, who arrived the downtown hotel from the remote Lishui district, said his wife and four friends were on the cruise and now cannot be reached by phone.

"We've been through thick and thin for many years," Gan said, with tears in his eyes. "We decided to spend more time on traveling, as we are getting older. I had to stay at home this time because someone needs to take care of our grandson."