At least 26 people were killed, over 100 were injured after two vessels collided on Monday evening off the Lamma Island on the southwest of the Hong Kong Island, the city government said Tuesday.
The incident occurred at the seafront of the Lamma Island at about 8:23 p.m. Monday.
One vessel, which sank quickly after the collision, was reportedly carrying 124 passengers and crew. It was rented by the Hong Kong Electric company for carrying its staff and their family members on an evening cruise to watch fireworks at the Victoria Harbour.
The other vessel, which did not capsize, was a regular ferry operated by the Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry company. It was also carrying dozens of passengers, according to local media.
As at 3 a.m. Tuesday, 123 people has been salvaged, among them 25 were dead, including 17 certified dead at scene and eight others certified dead upon arrival of hospitals.
The more than 100 injured, including nine suffering serious injures or in critical condition, were sent to five local hospitals, the city government said in a statement released early Tuesday morning.
Rescue works have been difficult overnight due to the low visibility and many obstacles on board. So the death toll might further increase, Wu Jianzhi, an official of the city’s Fire Services Department, told reporters early Tuesday, adding the rescue action will continue as there might still be people inside the vessel or missing.
Xinhua