Photos: Internet
This afternoon (15/1), police received a report of a fire on a 50-foot-long, three-storey vessel about one nautical mile south of Tai Chung Chau, Sai Kung. The fire was serious with a lot of smoke. An explosion was also heard. Fire and marine police were dispatched to rescue, and 15 passengers boarded lifeboats to evacuate and were then sent to the marine police base in Sai Kung. As for the vessel, it “burned through to the roof” and sank.
It is understood that the vessel involved picked up the guests at Sai Kung Pier this morning and headed to Basalt Island (火石洲) for diving, with several compressed air bottles on board.
According to online information, the diving boat Triton, owned by a diving company in Tsim Sha Tsui, made its maiden voyage in September last year and can carry 60 people. The company launched a sailing schedule from January to March this year to divers last month. At a discounted price of HK$600, they can “dive at any time.” They also provide soft drinks and ready-to-cook lunch. Today is the first day of the sailing schedule.
The company posted on Facebook in the evening that the incident was an accident. “Everyone didn’t want it to happen.” It was fortunate that no one was injured in the incident, and thanked the industry and friends for their concern and condolences, and did not want to comment or respond to the incident. As for the customers on the ship today, if they can list any belongings lost in the fire the company will make restitution as soon as possible.
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