China confirms 21 dead in tug boat sinking - four Singaporeans were on board

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Jan 17, 2015 01:04 pm

Chinese authorities confirmed that 21 people were killed and one is still missing after a tug boat undergoing sea trials sank in the Yangtze River.

Three people have been rescued. The boat had a total of 25 people on board including seven or eight foreigners.

Sembcorp Marine Ltd, a Singapore-based shipbuilder, said on Friday that its subsidiary, Jurong Marine Services Pte Ltd, had planned to charter the tug boat. Jurong Marine staff were on board to witness a trial of the tugboat.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) have confirmed that four Singaporeans were among those missing.

The MFA said it is in touch with the families of the Singaporeans and their companies. The ministry said: "We are also working closely with the Chinese authorities on the ongoing search and rescue operations."

Source: AFP