Ship Collision in Shanghai: 3 rescued, 10 still missing

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01:32

Ten people are still missing after two ships collided at the mouth of the Yangtze River near Shanghai. Officials are still trying to determine what caused the accident. Yang Chengxi reports.

A major collision on one of China's busiest waterways. Cargo ship Shunqiang Two collided with another ship at 1:38 am Sunday morning and sank near Shanghai's Wusongkou Harbor. Among the 13 crew members, 10 are still missing as of now. Images from the Wusong Maritime Safety Administration indicate major damage on both sides of the ship, which is now lying upright on the ocean floor.

Authorities have dispatched 30 ships and one helicopter for the large-scale rescue, estimated to last at least 72 hours. Earlier rescue efforts by divers were hindered by strong currents, which lowered their mobility and visibility. No crew members were found on the deck nor in the pilot room.

ZHU HUAPING, DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL WUSONG MARITIME SAFETY ADMINISTRATION "The focus of our work right now is to search for the missing crew. The seawater is quite warm now, so theoretically, they still have a chance of survival."

Zhu said divers will continue to move down and search the inside of the ship. Shunqiang Two was carrying 358 rolls of steel that weigh 3000 tons. The response team has salvaged one roll and is now preparing for further clearing.

YANG CHENGXI SHANGHAI "Clearing efforts are going on while rescue crews search for survivors. Authorities say their goal is to minimize the subsequent impact of this incident on other ships along this busy waterway.YCX, CGTN, SHANGHAI."