UPDATED: Thirty six dead after Hong Kong ferry collision
Six crew members have been arrested after two passenger ferries collided in Hong Kong killing 37 people.
Britons are feared to be among 32 adults and five children killed in the tragedy which happened just off Lamma island, a popular spot for tourists and expats two miles from Hong Kong island.
More than 100 passengers were injured and the search for survivors is continuing.
Dozens of survivors were pulled from dark waters after one of the ferries – believed to be carrying more than 120 passengers to a firework display in Hong Kong harbour – sank.
It collided with a Hong Kong and Kowloon ferry carrying 100 passengers, last night.
Survivors have described how the water level inside the stricken vessel rose quickly before the boat sank with its bow sticking vertically out of the water.
Police have arrested three crew members from each of the vessels involved in the accident, the security minister Lai Tung Kwok told a news conference.
The head of police, Tsang Wai-hung, said the suspects were responsible for operating the boats.
"From the investigation so far we suspect that the crew responsible for manning the two vessels had not exercised the care required of them by law to ensure the safety of the vessels as well as the people on board.
"We expect further persons to be arrested… The investigation will focus on criminal liability," he said.
By Diane Evans
Updated 12.55pm, October 2
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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