Dangerous crates in river

Twelve shipping containers packed with dangerous chemicals were still missing yesterday after falling into the rapid current of the Yangtze River on Monday.

Four ships sent out by the Three Georges Maritime Administration have been searching the river since a Shanghai-bound cargo ship lost 62 containers as it tried to accelerate in the lower part of Three Georges, near Yichang city, Hubei province.

Six of the crates held potassium permanganate, usually used as a disinfectant; five carried potassium hydroxide, a toxic chemical used in fertilizers and soaps; and one held sodium permanganate, which is used to make circuit boards.