After a ferry carrying more than 120 people crashed with another near an island south of Hong Kong on Monday, at least 36 people were killed and dozens were injured.
After a ferry carrying more than 120 people crashed with another near an island south of Hong Kong on Monday, at least 36 people were killed and dozens were injured.
The ferry, belonging to the Hong Kong Electric Company, was transporting family members to watch fireworks that celebrated China’s National Day. It hit another ship and started to sink near Lamma island. The crash is Hong Kong’s deadliest accident in more than 15 years.
Survivors say they had little time to get their life jackets on. Within 10 minutes, the ferry reportedly sunk, and survivors say they had to wait 20 minutes before being rescued. Many say they were trapped inside and had to break windows to escape.
On Tuesday, seven crew members were arrested from the two boats, as they are under suspicions of endangering passengers by operating the boats unsafely. Police haven’t given details but said that both crews weren’t as careful as the law requires.
The government said that 101 people were sent to hospitals, four of whom had serious injuries or were in critical condition.