Chinese govn't sends condolence over HK ship collision

 • Chinese gov't sent condolence to the families of victims of a fatal ship collision off Hong Kong.

 • The central gov't is concerned about accident and will spare no efforts in providing help if needed.

 • Central gov't has asked Guangdong Province to send four salvage vessels to help with rescue work.

Rescuers get close to a partially-submerged vessel after a collision in Hong Kong, south China, Oct. 2, 2012. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

BEIJING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese central government on Tuesday sent a letter expressing condolence and sympathy to the families of victims of a fatal ship collision off Hong Kong on Monday.

The central government is extremely concerned about the accident and will spare no efforts in providing help if needed, read the letter sent by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, to the office of Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.

The central government has asked neighboring Guangdong Province to send four salvage vessels to help Hong Kong police with rescue work.

A ferry and a pleasure craft collided off Lamma Island to the southwest of Hong Kong Island at about 8:23 p.m. on Monday evening, leaving 36 people dead as of 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Hong Kong's Information Services Department.

More than 100 people on board were transferred to five hospitals, with nine severely injured, it said.

Related:

Death toll of HK ship collision rises to 36

HONG KONG, Oct.2 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of a ship collision took place on Monday in Hong Kong rose to 36 as of 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, Hong Kong's Information Services Department said in an updated statement.  Full story

25 killed, over 100 injured in vessel collision in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 people were killed, over 100 were injured after two vessels collided on Monday evening off the Lamma Island on the southwest of the Hong Kong Island, the Hong Kong city government said Tuesday.

The incident occurred at the seafront of the Lamma Island, the third largest island in Hong Kong, at about 8:23 p.m. Monday, when Hong Kong residents were on a public holiday celebrating the mid- autumn festival and China's National Day. Full story

Two vessels collide in HK; over 70 rescued

HONG KONG, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Two vessels, with about 100 people onboard, collided on Monday evening off the Lamma Island to the southwest of the Hong Kong Island, and rescue was underway, local police said.

Initial reports from police said a boat crashed into a small passenger ferry at around 8:30 p.m. local time. Full story