The death toll so far is 38 in a ferry accident in Hong Kong Harbor. Five children were among the dead. More than 100 people were taken to hospital, with nine suffering serious injuries or in critical condition, the government said in a statement.
Two ferries, one passenger ferry traveling from Hong Kong to Lamma Island and one owned by Hong Kong Electric company carrying employees and their families, collided Monday night on their way to observe the fireworks to celebrate China’s National Day. The fireworks also marked the mid-autumn festival, when the moon is full. Hong Kong returned to Chinese from British rule in 1997. Hong Kong Electric’s ferry was upended, sending passengers into the water. Passengers indicated they had very little time to escape.
"Within 10 minutes, the ship had sunk. We had to wait at least 20 minutes before we were rescued," said one male survivor, wrapped in a blanket.
Survivors said people had to break windows to swim to the surface. "We thought we were going to die. Everyone was trapped inside," said a middle-aged woman.
Authorities are investigating Hong Kong’s most lethal maritime accident since 1971. Six crew members from both vessels have been arrested on suspicion of endangering passengers.
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