IMAGE: AFP / Anthony Wallace
A Chinese oil and chemical tanker caught fire near Lamma Island off Hong Kong, according to media reports and photos appearing in social media. At least one person was killed and 21 sailors were rescued in the incident.
The number of missing crewmembers is not clear.
“There was an explosion and some people fell into the water from the vessel,” a police spokesman stressed accordign to the South China Morning Post.
Several police marine vessels, 3 fire boats and a helicopter were deployed for a rescue operation.
The ship, which was identified as “Aulac Fortune”, reportedly arrived in Hong Kong almost empty early on January 8 after reportedly unloading a cargo of gasoline in another place.
Deadly oil tanker blaze in Hong Kong waters, rescue under way ?? #HongKong #香港 https://t.co/kCOkGOjT92 pic.twitter.com/YidpRj5hUS
— boppinmule (@boppinmule) January 8, 2019
【南丫島對開船隻起火】今日 (2019-01-08) 下午南丫島對開海面有船隻起火，警方與消防處現正進行救援行動。更多消息請密切留意警隊 Facebook。A vessel was found on fire outside…
Posted by 香港警察 Hong Kong Police on Monday, January 7, 2019
“The ship, which was identified as “Aulac Fortune”, reportedly arrived in Hong Kong almost empty early on January 8 after reportedly unloading a cargo of gasoline in another place.”………. a little strange to add “at another place” !!.