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Explosion fears as fire continues to rage on stricken oil tanker off China coast Explosion fears as fire continues to rage on stricken oil tanker off China coast
(about 3 hours later)
An Iranian oil tanker ablaze off the Chinese coast is at risk of exploding or sinking as officials reported there was no sign of survivors 36 hours after the vessel erupted in flames. An Iranian oil tanker ablaze off the Chinese coast is at risk of exploding or sinking, as officials reported there were no signs of survivors 36 hours after the vessel erupted in flames.
A huge fire was still raging around the stricken ship, which had been carrying 136,000 tonnes of light oil, with fierce heat and thick black smoke billowing from the vessel and the surrounding sea. A huge fire was still raging around the stricken ship, which had been carrying 136,000 tonnes of light oil, or about 1m barrels, with fierce heat and thick black smoke billowing from the vessel and the surrounding sea.
Rescuers attempting to reach the crew of 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis were being beaten back by toxic clouds, China’s transportation ministry said. Rescuers from three countries attempting to reach the crew of 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis were being beaten back by toxic clouds and intense fires, China’s transportation ministry said. The Korean coastguard sent a ship to the scene but said bad weather was also hampering the rescue efforts. A US navy aircraft took part in the search on Sunday, scouring a large area before returning to Kadena airbase in Okinawa, Japan.
The Panamanian-flagged 274m (899ft) tanker Sanchi is “in danger of exploding or sinking”, the ministry said. The Panamanian-flagged 274m (900ft) tanker Sanchi is “in danger of exploding or sinking”, the Chinese ministry said.
The accident happened on Saturday evening 160 nautical miles east of Shanghai. The accident happened on Saturday evening 160 nautical miles (300km) east of Shanghai.
The tanker, operated by Iran’s Glory Shipping, was heading to South Korea when it collided with a Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship, the CF Crystal, carrying 64,000 tonnes of grain. The fire poses a serious environmental risk for the region. The ship was carrying condensate, an ultralight version of crude oil that converts from a gas to a liquid during extraction.
Ten government vessels and “many fishing ships” were helping with the ongoing rescue and clean-up effort, the transportation ministry said, adding that a South Korean coast guard ship was also on the scene. Condensate is in liquid form only under specific conditions. Although the damage has been difficult to fully assess, Korean coastguard officials say much of the condensate may have evaporated or burned off in the aftermath of the crash.
A US navy aircraft participated in the search on Sunday, scouring a large area before returning to Kadena air base in Okinawa, Japan. But any oil that did leak into the ocean will be harder to clean up, since condensate mixes more easily with water compared to traditional crude oil.
Iran’s oil ministry said the tanker belonged to the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) and was delivering its cargo to South Korea’s Hanwha Total. The ship and its cargo were insured, a statement said. The tanker was heading to South Korea when it collided with a Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship, the CF Crystal, carrying 64,000 tonnes of grain. Ten government vessels and “many fishing ships” were helping with the ongoing rescue and clean-up effort, the Chinese ministry said.
It was the second accident in less than two years involving a tanker owned by the NITC. In August 2016 an Iranian supertanker and a container ship collided in the Singapore Strait, causing damage to both vessels but no injuries or pollution. Iran’s oil ministry said the tanker was operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) and was delivering its cargo to South Korea’s Hanwha Total. The ship and its cargo were insured, a statement said. The oil was worth about £45m at current prices.