At least 37 people have died after a Hong Kong ferry packed with more than 120 people collided with another ferry and sank near Lamma island in one of the city's worst maritime accidents. The crash happened Monday evening, a night when Hong Kong's busy waters were even more crowded than usual, as the city celebrated China's National Day.
A Hong Kong government statement said: "Over 100 people were sent to five hospitals during the incident; nine of them have sustained serious injuries or are in critical condition." It was rented by the Hong Kong Electric company for carrying its staff and their family members on an evening cruise to watch a massive fireworks celebrating the National Day at the Victoria Harbour.
It was rented by the Hong Kong Electric company for carrying its staff and their family members on an evening cruise to watch a massive fireworks celebrating the National Day at the Victoria Harbour. As the damaged ferry began to move toward the pier in the small town of Yung Shue Wan on Lamma, Head said he could see the other boat had started to sink into the water vertically, like the Titanic.
It was slightly damaged in the crash but returned safely to port, according to Radio Television Hong Kong. A number of passengers on board were treated for minor injuries. Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung has rushed to a pier in the Hong Kong Island near the scene to visit the injured people.
Television pictures showed the red and blue bow of the ferry pointing skywards, surrounded by rescue vessels as government helicopters with search lights circled overhead. Hong Kong is one of the world's busiest shipping channels, but its ferries have a good safety record.
The city's Fire Services Department has deployed seven fire boats, mobilised 210 members (including fire and ambulance personnel) and over 20 ambulances. The death toll would appear to make the crash Hong Kong's most lethal maritime accident since 1971, when 88 people died after the ferry Fat Shan capsized between Hong Kong and Macau amid a typhoon.
A Hong Kong government statement said: "Over 100 people were sent to five hospitals during the incident; nine of them have sustained serious injuries or are in critical condition." It was rented by the Hong Kong Electric company for carrying its staff and their family members on an evening cruise to watch a massive fireworks celebrating the National Day at the Victoria Harbour.
It was rented by the Hong Kong Electric company for carrying its staff and their family members on an evening cruise to watch a massive fireworks celebrating the National Day at the Victoria Harbour. As the damaged ferry began to move toward the pier in the small town of Yung Shue Wan on Lamma, Head said he could see the other boat had started to sink into the water vertically, like the Titanic.
It was slightly damaged in the crash but returned safely to port, according to Radio Television Hong Kong. A number of passengers on board were treated for minor injuries. Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung has rushed to a pier in the Hong Kong Island near the scene to visit the injured people.
Television pictures showed the red and blue bow of the ferry pointing skywards, surrounded by rescue vessels as government helicopters with search lights circled overhead. Hong Kong is one of the world's busiest shipping channels, but its ferries have a good safety record.
The city's Fire Services Department has deployed seven fire boats, mobilised 210 members (including fire and ambulance personnel) and over 20 ambulances. The death toll would appear to make the crash Hong Kong's most lethal maritime accident since 1971, when 88 people died after the ferry Fat Shan capsized between Hong Kong and Macau amid a typhoon.
