Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday continued to direct the Eastern Star rescue operation. Li observed work near the capsized ship, saying 100 percent efforts should be put into the rescue work if there is even a glimpse of hope of finding survivors.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) gives instructions on search and rescue work on a ship at the site of overturned ship in the Jianli section of the Yangtze River in central China's Hubei Province, June 3, 2015. The ship, named Dongfangzhixing, or Eastern Star, sank on Monday in the Jianli section of the Yangtze River. As of Tuesday night, 14 people had been rescued, with seven others confirmed dead and about 430 missing. [Xinhua]?

Li bowed and paid silent tribute to two victims recovered Wednesday morning. He also took the time to thank the divers taking part in the massive search operation.

On Tuesday, he visited a hospital in Hubei province where several rescued passengers were receiving treatment. He pledged to them that the government would deal with the aftermath of the accident.