China says the capsizing of a cruise ship that killed hundreds earlier this year was caused by strong storms but that representatives of the shipping company and local authorities should also be punished for management flaws, the Associated Press reports.

More than 440 people died in the June 1 disaster on the Yangtze River.

The official Xinhua News Agency says the Cabinet's investigation team concluded that the Eastern Star was brought down "by strong winds and heavy rains" related to "a rare type of severe convective weather."

The conclusion backs up the initial finding that the disaster was caused by strong winds.

Xinhua said Wednesday, December 30 the investigation team also found that 43 people from the shipping company and local authorities should be punished for flaws in their daily management.