Carbon dioxide leak on Chinese bulker leads to death of ten crew
A carbon dioxide leak on panamax bulker Jin Hai Xiang in Weihai on Saturday has killed 10 crew and injured another 19.
According to a release by the local Weihai government, the incident happened when the vessel was under repair at Rongcheng Longyan Port and the fire prevention system of the ship leaked carbon dioxide. The gas killed 10 crew onboard and another 19 crew who were injured are being treated in local hospitals and their conditions have all been stabilised.
Preliminary investigations suspect the incident was caused by the misoperation by the third officer of the ship, who has been detained by police.
The 1994-built 69,100 dwt Jin Hai Xiang is owned by state-run Fujian Shipping Group, and it docked at Xixiakou Shipyard on May 24 for a 22-day repair and maintenance project.
Fujian Shipping operates around 20 bulkers with total capacity of around 750,000 dwt.