Hong Kong Ferry Collision: British Child Among Dead

British Child Amongst Dead In Hong Kong Ferry Collision

A British child was one of those killed when two ferries collided in Hong Kong, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

The child, who has yet to be named, was on board the Lamma IV pleasure cruiser which collided with the passenger ferry, Sea Smooth, on Monday night, killing 38 people including five children in Hong Kong's worst maritime disaster for 40 years.

Hong Kong's busy shipping channels were even more crowded that usual, amidst celebrations for China's national day

The Lamma IV, which was carrying 120 passengers, was heavily damaged and sunk rapidly leaving many of those onboard with little time to put on lifejackets.

The Sea Smooth, carrying around 100 people, was only lightly damaged and managed to limp back to port.

The Foreign Office had earlier confirmed that a British national had died in the incident but had not released any further details.

In a statement a spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that there was one British victim who died in the incident in Hong Kong and we are providing consular assistance to their family."

The Lamma IV was on its way to view a fireworks display in Victoria Harbour to celebrate China's national day when the collision happened.

Seven crew members from the two boats have been arrested on suspicion of endangering passengers by operating the craft unsafely.

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