Vatican City, Jun 3, 2015 / 10:32 am (CNA).- Pope Francis on Wednesday expressed his condolences to the people of China following a ferry capsizing earlier this week which claimed the lives of hundreds of people.

“I wish to express my closeness to the Chinese people in these difficult moments after the ferry disaster in the Yangtze River,” the pontiff said Jun. 3 during his weekly general audience.

“I pray for the victims, their families and for all involved in the rescue efforts.”

More than 400 people remain missing after the ship capsized Monday night due to a freak tornado in the Yangtze river. Rescue teams are working around the clock to find possible survivors.

Many of the 456 people on board were elderly tourists, although one of the passengers was as young as three years old. According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, 26 bodies have been recovered, and only 14 survivors had been found as of Tuesday.