[Faline]

A British child was among 38 people killed when a ferry and a pleasure boat collided off the Hong Kong coast, the Foreign Office has said.



All those who died were on the cruiser Lamma IV, which was carrying partygoers to a fireworks show to celebrate China's national day.

It partially sank shortly after the crash while the Sea Smooth ferry was damaged but made it to port.

More than 100 people on both boats were taken to hospital including some who were thrown into the water from the party vessel.



Hong Kong authorities said five children died in the crash, which was the island's deadliest accident in more than 15 years and its worst maritime accident in more than 40 years.

A Foreign Office 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."

Police have arrested seven crew from the two vessels, including the captains, on suspicion of operating the vessels unsafely.

An official from the ferry company involved in the collision said the vessel passed an inspection last month, but he had no details about how the crash off Lamma, an island to the west of Hong Kong, occurred.

Nelson Ng, general manager of Hong Kong and Kowloon (Ferry) Holdings, said the company has not been able to talk to the ferry captain, who has been in hospital since Monday's crash.

The passengers on board the pleasure cruiser had gathered on Lamma, around two miles south west of Hong Kong, to watch the fireworks display in Victoria Harbour from the water.

The majority of the 120 passengers were employees of Hong Kong Electric and their friends and family.

Some relatives of the dead went to the scene to throw spirit money into the water in honour of the victims.

Others waited at the morgue for news about loved ones.

Salvage teams raised the half-submerged Lamma IV using three crane barges and later towed it to the island's shoreline.

Major damage was visible, with part of the compartment at the stern torn away and railings bent and twisted.

Officers have arrested three crew members from the Lamma IV and four from the Sea Smooth.

Police commissioner Tsang Wai-hung said both crews are suspected of having not "exercised the care required of them by law", but he did not elaborate.

[Angelahh]

Well that certainly sucks. Hope it didnt hold up the fireworks - the Chinese can put on a hell of a show

[chefbob09]

open your eyes fuckers and you would of seen the big ass boat

[kellyhound]

poor kids