10 dead, 16 missing after cargo ships sink off east China

[News_Editor]

JINAN, CHINA (BNO NEWS) -- Ten bodies were recovered Monday and more than a dozen people remained missing after two cargo vessels sank off east China in two separate accidents, rescue workers said on Tuesday, with officials blaming strong gales and high waves as the likely cause of both sinkings.

The first incident happened at around 9 p.m. local time on Sunday when the local cargo vessel XINGLONGZHOU65 sank off Yantai, a coastal city in northeastern Shandong province. The 88-meter (288-feet)-long vessel, which was loaded with stone, was carrying a total of twelve crew members, of whom rescuers had recovered three bodies by Tuesday while the other nine remained missing.

The second incident happened hours later, just before 3 a.m. local time on Monday, when the local cargo vessel ZIHAISHUN sank off Weihai, which is only about 60 kilometers (37 miles) east of Yantai. The cargo ship was carrying fourteen people when it sank, and rescue workers were able to recover seven bodies while the other seven remained missing.

Rescuers using boats and helicopters continued their search on Tuesday, but authorities said it was unlikely any of the missing were still alive. The Shandong Maritime Safety Administration said strong gales caused the first cargo vessel to begin leaning after it lost power, and contact with maritime officials was lost about six minutes later.

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