8 missing after cargo ship and barge collided off China coast

Beijing: A dozen Chinese rescue vessels were
deployed today to search for eight people who are missing
after a cargo ship and barge collided in the sea off north
China`s Tianjin coast.

The Tianjin maritime affairs bureau said the vessels are
searching the area 13.38 nautical miles southeast of Dagu
District, Tianjin.

The bureau confirmed a collision occurred at 1:45 am
yesterday between a cargo ship and a barge.

One of the nine crew members aboard the barge was rescued
before it sank. Crews aboard the cargo ship are safe and
sound.

Zhang Gaoli, Party chief of Tianjin, has instructed the
maritime department to make all-out efforts to rescue the
missing and prevent an oil spill, Xinhua reproted.

PTI