8 dead, 100 rescued after Hong Kong ferry collides with tugboat, sinks during holiday

The Associated Press

HONG KONG - Authorities in Hong Kong have rescued 101 people after a ferry collided with a tugboat and sank. A local broadcaster says eight people died.

The government said in a statement that the ferry was carrying about 120 people when the accident happened Monday night near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island. Few other details were given.

Local broadcaster TVB reported that eight people were killed. Television channels showed the ferry half submerged with the bow pointing straight up.

The boat was headed to Hong Kong's famed Victoria Harbour to watch fireworks on a long holiday weekend to celebrate China's National Day and mid-autumn festival.

Lamma is the third-biggest island in Hong Kong and near one of the city's busiest shipping lanes.