Freighter sinks, 7 missing in Beibu Gulf
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-02-20 13:48

Search for seven Chinese sailors missing after a freighter sank in the Beibu Gulf, also known as the Gulf of Tonkin, early Saturday morning, is still continuing in the sea area, rescuers said Sunday.

A source with the Nanhai Salvage Bureau of the Ministry of Communications said two salvage vessels and one helicopter have been dispatched to search for the missing sailors in the sea areas at and around the accident site.

By press time 16 sailors aboard the ill-fated ship have been rescued.

"Zhehai No. 308" freighter, carrying 5,415.04 tons of rolled steel, was heading for Vietnam from Jintang Harbor, north China, when it suddenly went missing early Saturday morning.

The second mate, who is among the rescued, recalled that the cargo ship began tilting to one side at around 4 a.m. Saturday, probably due to movement of cargoes on the freighter, and quickly sank at about 5 a.m..

He said 16 of the 23 sailors aboard the ship escaped on the only one life raft in a hurry.

The 16 sailors were found and rescued at 11:25 p.m. Saturday.

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