BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged local authorities to ensure logistical and nutritional support for those searching for missing passengers in the Yangtze River after Monday's fatal accident.

Li made the remarks on Tuesday morning at the site where he is leading rescue work. Heavy rain is making work difficult for personnel, including divers who took turns to go underwater overnight.

"Search and rescue is very physically demanding, and high-nutrition, high-energy food as well as other logistics must be well ensured for rescuers so that they can re-energize and redouble their efforts," Li said.

"As long as there is the slightest hope, we must go all-out to find the missing," he added.