Search ends as HK ferry toll rises to 39
Source: Agencies |
October 7, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE death toll from Hong Kong's biggest maritime tragedy in decades has risen to 39 and rescue workers have called off the search for any more missing, authorities have said.
Hong Kong government said late Friday that another person had died following a collision between a commuter ferry and a smaller boat carrying people to see a holiday fireworks display Monday evening.
All 39 dead and most of the nearly 100 injured were aboard the smaller boat, the Lamma IV, which was carrying 124 passengers and three crew. It had just departed Lamma Island, off the southwest coast of Hong Kong Island, and was heading for Victoria Harbour when it collided with the Sea Smooth ferry and sank rapidly.
Police have arrested seven crew members from the two boats, including both captains.
The government also said rescuers had called off their search for missing people after accounting for everyone aboard both vessels.
The tragedy has shocked Hong Kong, where fleets of ferries form the backbone of the city's transportation network. The crash was Hong Kong's worst maritime disaster since 88 people died in a ferry accident during a typhoon in 1971.
The smaller boat was owned by utility company Hong Kong Electric Co, which was taking staff and family members to see Chinese National Day fireworks.
Hong Kong's Marine Department is investigating the cause of the collision, while police are carrying out a criminal investigation.
Director of the Marine Department of the Hong Kong government Francis Liu said yesterday that he expected a probe into the tragedy to be completed in six months.
Liu said officers are looking into various aspects of the tragedy, including whether safety measures on board the two vessels were adequate and why did the Lamma IV sink within minutes after the collision.
Lai Tung-kwok, Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong government, said the police have boarded and will continue to board the two boats to collect all necessary evidence.
"They are now conducting interviews with the survivors," said Lai.
Patrick Nip, Director of the Social Welfare Department, said more than a hundred social workers are helping families caught up in the disaster.
Hong Kong government said late Friday that another person had died following a collision between a commuter ferry and a smaller boat carrying people to see a holiday fireworks display Monday evening.
All 39 dead and most of the nearly 100 injured were aboard the smaller boat, the Lamma IV, which was carrying 124 passengers and three crew. It had just departed Lamma Island, off the southwest coast of Hong Kong Island, and was heading for Victoria Harbour when it collided with the Sea Smooth ferry and sank rapidly.
Police have arrested seven crew members from the two boats, including both captains.
The government also said rescuers had called off their search for missing people after accounting for everyone aboard both vessels.
The tragedy has shocked Hong Kong, where fleets of ferries form the backbone of the city's transportation network. The crash was Hong Kong's worst maritime disaster since 88 people died in a ferry accident during a typhoon in 1971.
The smaller boat was owned by utility company Hong Kong Electric Co, which was taking staff and family members to see Chinese National Day fireworks.
Hong Kong's Marine Department is investigating the cause of the collision, while police are carrying out a criminal investigation.
Director of the Marine Department of the Hong Kong government Francis Liu said yesterday that he expected a probe into the tragedy to be completed in six months.
Liu said officers are looking into various aspects of the tragedy, including whether safety measures on board the two vessels were adequate and why did the Lamma IV sink within minutes after the collision.
Lai Tung-kwok, Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong government, said the police have boarded and will continue to board the two boats to collect all necessary evidence.
"They are now conducting interviews with the survivors," said Lai.
Patrick Nip, Director of the Social Welfare Department, said more than a hundred social workers are helping families caught up in the disaster.
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