Update | Family members demand transparent probe into Yangtze ship disaster as death toll reaches 431

Relatives of passengers who were aboard the capsized Eastern Star cruise vessel have called on the central government to tell the truth about the country's deadliest ship disaster in decades and make sure that those held responsible are punished.

The death toll reached 431 on Sunday after disaster-relief teams stabilised the vessel in an upright position and searched it for more bodies.

"Our family is already gone. As relatives, we are still waiting for the final result of the government's investigation," said a woman from Nanjing , whose 65-year-old father, Wang Chuanyu, had boarded the ship with friends.

"Relevant state [departments] must investigate those who should be investigated, hold responsible those who should be held responsible … and punish those who should be punished."

Only 14 of the 456 passengers survived after the ship capsized on the Yangtze River last Monday night in heavy weather.

Hundreds more bodies from the ship were found overnight, Hu Kaihong, the deputy director general of the press bureau of the State Council Information Office, told a news conference.

Family members said they would not accept the apology of Jiang Zhao, the legal representative of the Chongqing Eastern Shipping Corporation, which owns the ill-fated vessel.