Chinese chemical tanker operator Jiangxi Tongda Shipping has announced that one of the company’s vessels, Tong Da Hua 0098, suffered an explosion onboard this week leading to one crew suffering injury and another missing.
The incident happened when the tanker was sailing on the Yangtze River near Nanjing. The local maritime rescue centre sent three vessels for firefighting and rescue operations and managed to put out the fire in a few hours and evacuated the crew from the ship. The injured crew member was sent to nearby hospital for medical treatment.
According to the company, there was no leak or pollution caused by the explosion as the cargo tank of the vessel was empty when the incident occurred.
Search operations for the missing crew member are still ongoing and authorities have started investigations into the cause of the incident.
