Explosion on oil tanker Sanchi

shanghai - An explosion has occurred on the tanker Sanchi. The oil tanker was on fire since Saturday after being bombarded with a grain ship from Hong Kong. The blast occurred when rescue workers tried to fight the fire with foam.

It is unclear whether dead or wounded have fallen through the explosion. According to the Chinese Ministry of Transport, the explosion occurred shortly after half past three Wednesday (local time). Ships present on the spot for assistance have withdrawn at some distance.

Of the 32 crew members of the Sanchi, 31 are still missing. It concerns thirty seamen from Iran and one from Bangladesh. One dead from Bangladesh was recovered. The crew of the other vessel could be unloaded with helicopters.

The oil tanker transported 163,000 tons of so-called condensate, an easily flammable form of petroleum. The fact of the accident is still a mystery. It happened about 300 kilometers off the coast of Shanghai.