Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Wednesday sent condolences to Chinese President Xi Jinping over the Yangtze River cruise ship tragedy on Monday, which could be the worst ship accident in China in decades.

"Spanish people wish to show solidarity with the Chinese people at such difficult times. I ask you to pass on my condolences to the families of the victims," said Rajoy in a message.

More than 450 people were on board the cruise liner, Eastern Star, on the Yangtze River when it capsized late Monday night. So far, rescuers have found 14 survivors and retrieved 26 bodies, leaving more than 400 people still unaccounted for.