Tian Deshun, captain of a cargo ship that capsized off east
China's Shandong Province early on Wednesday, was detained for
illegally carrying passengers, local sources said.
Two crew members were also detained on the same charge, the
sources said.
Tian is a fisherman from Beicun village, Daqin island, Changdao
county, where the ship was bound.
Further details are not available, since the investigation is
yet to be launched.
The ship, which was registered in Shandong as No. 926, capsized
at about 6:30 a.m. about one nautical mile from the coast of
Penglai, a small city in Yantai, where it had begun its journey.
The voyage between Penglai and Changdao normally takes about 40
minutes.
Seven people were rescued. They were in good condition and have
already left the hospital.
Eleven ships and one helicopter are still seeking anyone missing
from the ship, but the total number of those who were onboard
remains unknown.
The cause of the accident is under investigation. Local people
said that there were high winds at sea when the accident
occurred.
(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2007)