Five rescued after jumping from burning boat in Hong Kong

Five people, including two boys, cheated serious injury in Hong Kong after they jumped for their lives from a burning speed boat on Sunday afternoon.

The vessel was going out of Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter when fire erupted from its engine at about 1.18pm.

A minor explosion was reported. The boat was rapidly engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the air.

The three men and two boys on board had to jump into the sea. They were soon rescued by a nearby boat that rushed to help them.

Vessels from the Fire Services Department as well as firefighters on shore put the fire out in about an hour. The boat ended up partially submerged in water and was reduced to a wreck.