8 people rescued after fishing boat catches fire in Hong Kong
- Photo online shows stern of 10-metre-long fishing boat engulfed in flames
- Fireboats and speedboats carrying divers deployed to scene to battle blaze
Eight people escaped injury after their fishing boat caught fire in Hong Kong waters on Thursday.
Fire and police boats were called to the scene when the vessel burst into flames about 100 metres (328 feet) from the waterfront on Sam Mun Tsai Road in Tai Po just before 2.30pm.
A photo posted online showed the boat’s stern engulfed in flames, with dense smoke billowing out.
Eight crew members were on board the 10-metre-long vessel, the Fire Services Department said.
A department spokesman said they were rescued and transferred to a passing vessel operated by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
He added that two fireboats and two speedboats carrying divers raced to the scene and two water jets were used to battle the blaze.
Eleven fire engines and two ambulances were also involved in the operation.
The spokesman said at 3.30pm that efforts to put out the fire continued.
