Hong Kong Ferry Collision Investigated

Investigators are looking into the cause of a Hong Kong ferry boat collision  that left 38 people dead, including five children, earlier this week. A high-speed ferry and a boat loaded with more than 120 people crashed during a holiday weekend, and the smaller vessel sank quickly.

The maritime accident, which occurred on a clear night, is Hong Kong’s worst in 40 years. Possible causes being investigated are the ferry going faster than usual or deviating from its normal course, the city’s marine department said. Fifteen people are still hospitalized, including a 10-year-old girl in critical condition.

The city will also look into questions about why the smaller vessel, owned by Hongkong Electric, sank so quickly, whether it had sufficient safety equipment, and whether any crewmembers on either vessel had violated maritime laws. Hongkong Electric said maintenance procedure were in line with regulations, and ferry operator Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Holdings Ltd. said its vessel had passed government inspections in September and was operating within its normal course.

The maritime accident lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers represent persons injured in maritime accidents across Texas and nationwide.