Explosion Rocks Chemical Tanker off Hong Kong, One Dead

One seafarer has lost his life, while three others are missing following an explosion and fire aboard a Vietnamese chemical tanker off Lamma Island, Hong Kong.

Image Courtesy: Hong Kong Police

Teams deployed at the site managed to rescue 21 sailors who escaped from the fire, which occurred on board the 17,542 dwt Aulac Fortune on January 8.

Four sailors were taken to a hospital for medical treatment, South China Morning Post writes citing Hong Kong police officials. Rescue operations are ongoing around one nautical mile south of Lamma Island.

The 2010-built vessel, which arrived in Hong Kong from Dongguan prior to the explosion, is listing with black smoke pouring from the hull.

Local media informed that an initial investigation suggested there were at least 25 crew members on board the vessel at the time of the incident.

The cause of the explosion and the fire is still unknown.

World Maritime News Staff