At least 36 people were killed and over 100 injured after a ferry and a cruise vessel collided in Hong Kong on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday.
The incident took place off the Lamma Island, the third largest in Hong Kong, after 8:00 p.m. local time, when people were celebrating China’s National Day.
One of the vessels carried over 120 passengers and crew and after the collision it quickly sank. The vessel was rented by the Hong Kong Electric company for the staff and their family members to celebrate the national holiday at the Victoria Harbor.
The other vessel was a regular ferry carrying dozens of passengers. It was damaged in the wreck but the ship did not capsize.
“Rescue works have been difficult overnight due to the low visibility and many obstacles on board, so the death toll might further increase," Xinhua quoted as Wu Jianzhi, an official of the city's Fire Services Department, as saying.
The cause of the incident is still under the investigation. Hong Kong is one of the busiest shipping channels in the world and the Lama Island is located in one of its hectic lanes.
