Eight dead in Hong Kong ferry disaster
The boat was carrying about 120 people when the accident happened near Lamma Island, off the south-western coast of Hong Kong Island, a government statement said.
The hired vessel was headed to Hong Kong’s famed Victoria Harbour to watch a fireworks display to celebrate China’s National Day.
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Hide AdThe government said 101 people were rescued. The Hospital Authority said 53 people, including the eight dead, were taken to four hospitals.
Television channels showed the boat half submerged with the bow pointing straight up.
Local news reports said the vessel that sank had been rented by the Hong Kong Electric utility company for a staff outing when it was hit by a larger boat operated by the Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry company on a regularly scheduled service.
A rescue operation was continuing for passengers still missing five hours after the boat half-sank following the collision, which happened around 8.30pm local time.
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Hide AdMore than 20 people were taken to a hospital on Lamma island with injuries, police said.
The accident came during a busy period for passenger travel in Hong Kong, at the end of a long holiday weekend to mark the mid-autumn festival.
Yuen Sui-see, operations director for the company, told reporters: “Our ferry left Lamma island at 8.15pm to watch the fireworks display out at sea, but within a few minutes, a tugboat smashed into our vessel ... which then left without stopping.”
One survivor told The South China Morning Post: “The rear... started to sink. I suddenly found myself deep under the sea.
“I swam hard and tried to grab a life buoy,” the man added. “I don’t know where my two kids are.”
Hong Kong is one of the world’s busiest shipping channels.