In a devastating collision on the Yuanshui River in southern China, a small ferry was struck by an oil spill cleaning vessel, resulting in at least 11 fatalities and leaving five individuals unaccounted for. The incident, which occurred on a Tuesday morning, saw 19 people thrown overboard amid the chaos. Fortunately, three individuals were rescued the same day, though the challenging conditions of the river posed significant obstacles to the ongoing rescue operations.
On the day of the accident, the Yuanshui River in Hunan province was particularly daunting, measuring at an average depth of 60 meters (roughly 200 feet) and spanning a width of approximately 500 meters (or 1,600 feet). This posed challenges for the rescue teams, who worked tirelessly to salvage the ferry by Friday night, according to reports from state media. Despite their efforts, the search for the missing passengers continues with urgency.
Survival stories emerged, with a rescued individual reportedly escaping the beleaguered ferry by bravely smashing a window with his foot, according to a family member speaking to a local Shanghai-based newspaper. The family member emphasized the ferry’s vital role as the main mode of transportation for villagers, making the tragedy deeply impactful for the community.
Footage acquired by the same newspaper depicted the collision, showing the substantial oil spill cleaning vessel striking the smaller ferry from behind amid serene waters. Following the incident, China News Agency reported that the three individuals aboard the larger vessel escaped injury and were subsequently taken into custody by police once their craft reached shore safely. An investigation is underway to determine the causes of the collision, though attempts to reach local authorities for comment were met with silence over the weekend.
