Ship breaks in half and sinks off Hong Kong coast

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An industrial support vessel in the South Chinese Ocean sunk in a storm with the possible loss of more than two dozen crew members, rescue services in Hong Kong said.
Authorities sent planes and helicopters to assist in the to rescuewith at least three people from the crew of 30 being rescued as of 5:30 p.m. local time Saturday.
Photos released by the Hong-Kong Government Flying Service showed a crew member being hoisted to a rescue helicopter as large waves hit the sinking ships, which had split into two parts.
A search for more than two dozen crew members whose ship broke in two and sank after being caught near the center of Typhoon Chaba
A search for more than two dozen crew members whose ship broke in two and sank after being caught near the center of Typhoon Chaba (Hong Kong Government Flying Service via AP)

The accident happened about 300 kilometers south of Hong Kong.

The Flying Service has not given the name or origin of the ship.

It said in a statement that crew members were negotiating difficulties caused by severe Tropical Storm Chaba, which had winds of 110 kilometers per hour.

The ship's crew abandoned the ship after it sustained significant damage in the South China Sea.
The ship’s crew abandoned the ship after it sustained significant damage in the South China Sea. (Hong Kong Government Flying Service via AP)
The ship sank about 300 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong.
The ship sank about 300 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong. (Hong Kong Government Flying Service via AP)
The storm caused disruption across the region, with flights being canceled and some businesses closing due to high winds and heavy rains
The storm caused disruption across the region, with flights being canceled and some businesses closing due to high winds and heavy rains (Hong Kong Government Flying Service via AP)

The storm made landfall on Saturday in the western part of coastal Guangdong province.

The Hong Kong service sent two fixed-wing aircraft and four helicopters to the rescue effort.

Hong Kong authorities warned of the typhoon during the long-awaited visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday.

The grand opening of a new Hong Kong Palace Museum, to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the transfer of the city from British to Chinese rule, was postponed until Sunday due to the storm.

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