Two bodies found in sunken tug
Divers are continuing to search for the remaining missing crew of the
Ukrainian anchor handling tug supply vessel Naftogaz 67 after recovering two
bodies from the submerged vessel off Hong Kong.
The two bodies were recovered from inside the vessel early yesterday, the AFP
reported.
The 264-foot Naftogaz 67 capsized and sank in about 115 feet of water after
colliding with a Chinese cargo ship on Saturday. It was en-route to an
offshore oilfield from the Chinese port of Shenzhen.
Seven crew members were rescued immediately, but the remaining 18 are all
believed to have been trapped inside the vessel when it overturned.
If all 18 members of the Ukrainian crew are found dead, it will be the worst
maritime disaster in Hong Kong for decades, the news service reported.
Rescue efforts following the sinking of the 2723-tonne vessel were plagued by
strong currents in the area, near Hong Kong’s international airport.
Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post said an inspection of the vessel in
Shenzhen six months ago had uncovered a list of problems. Citing information
from Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit, the paper said the inspection had
uncovered problems with the vessel’s safety, technical and navigational
systems.
Earlier reports indicated that the vessel was twice detained by marine
officials in Hong Kong and once in San Francisco in 2003, the paper said.
The China Daily newspaper said Ukrainian maritime officials had arrived in
Hong Kong to investigate the disaster.
27 March 2008 01:06 GMT
| last updated:
27 March 2008 01:06 GMT
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