Manila: In a horrific attack, a Chinese seafarer killed two of his colleagues with a knife, and injured another crewmember in Philippine waters, the local coast guard said on Sunday.
The Liberian-flagged Qing May (built 2012, 206,000 dwt) has docked at the southern Philippine port of Zamboanga and the injured crewmember has been rushed to hospital where his condition is described as critical. The incident occurred on Saturday aboard the ship which was hauling iron ore from Australia to China. The ship is owned by China’s Foremost Group.
Police said the ship’s captain, Shengbo Wang, radioed the local coast guard before dawn on Sunday and sought emergency medical evacuation of the injured sailor.
The dead sailors have been identified as Zhang Wenju, 35, the chief cook, and engineer Xie Zhichao, 28. The injured seafarer was named as engineer Liao Shiguo, 49.
Local reports suggest crewmembers were having an argument which turned very violent with knives and even an axe used.
