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Burning oil tanker off China’s coast finally sinks, 32 crewmen presumed dead

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Burning oil tanker off China's coast finally sinks, 32 crewmen presumed dead

After frantic efforts by rescue officials to recover more bodies, the Iranian oil tanker which collided with a cargo ship off China’s coast before bursting into flames has finally sunk.

According to Chinese state media CCTV, some 30 crewmen were still missing from the stricken tanker, registered under Panama and named the Sanchi, which had been adrift and on fire since January 6 collision before going down.

Read also: CHINA: 32 people declared missing after tanker and ship collision in Shangai

“Currently, it has already sunk,” CCTV said, citing the Shanghai Maritime Search and Rescue Centre. It showed a video of a tower of billowing black smoke and flames on the surface of the water. The ship sank before 5 pm (0900 GMT), CCTV said.

Reports say rescuers were able to recovered the “black box” recording unit of the tanker which was sailing from Iran to South Korea before it collided with the cargo ship last Saturday evening.

There are also fears being expressed by Chinese officials that the sunk tanker which had been sailing to Daesan, South Korea from Kharg Island, Iran, before the incident could pose environmental hazard in and around the area of the incident.

 

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