Collision between a ship and a ferry: 36 dead off Lamma island
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - The
government this morning confirmed that so far there are 36 confirmed victims in
the collision between a ship and a ferry off the island of Lamma.
The incident took place yesterday evening at 20.30. A ship with at least 130
passengers - relatives and employees of the power company in Hong Kong - headed
from Hong Kong to Lamma to watch the fireworks for October 1st China's National Day. Yesterday was also the traditional mid-Autumn festival.
A few minutes after leaving the dock in Lamma
Island, the ship collided with a
ferry, a passenger ship that services Lamma
Island to Hong Kong and Kowloon. The ship began
to sink with its 130 passengers. The ferry did not suffer major damage and was
immediately removed from the site. Despite the dark, thanks to helicopters, the
fire service and coastguard were able to rescue at least 100 people who were
taken to five hospitals. Twenty-eight people were reported dead on the spot;
eight others died in hospital. Several passengers on the ferry were injured.
The rescue continues today because it is possible that there may be bodies in
the sea or within the capsized ship.
The wounded received the visit of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Leung
Chun-ying, who has promised to launch an investigation into the incident. In a
highly unusual gesture Li Gang, the vice-representative of mainland China to Hong Kong
(Liaison Office), went to a hospital to greet the wounded and to extend
condolences to the families.
The sea area of Hong Kong is one of the
busiest in the world, but it is also one of the safest. The last recorded
accident of such a magnitude dates back to 1971, when a ferry in service from
Macau to Hong Kong sunk due to a typhoon, leaving 88 dead.
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28/08/2021 10:24
19/04/2007
