Hopes fade after twin China ship collisions
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-19 14:43

Only two survivors have been plucked from the sea since a cargo ship carrying 37 people sank in high winds off eastern China on Thursday, the Beijing Youth Daily said on Sunday.

Rescue operations for the Panamanian-flagged cargo ship, bound for Indonesia carrying aquatic products, had been hampered by strong winds and huge waves, the Xinhua news agency said.

Hopes of finding survivors were now very slim, said Xinhua, quoting a maritime safety official in coastal Fujian province.

More than 230 people died or were listed as missing in boat sinkings in China last year, state media said.