11 dead in C China ship collision, one missing

CHANGSHA - Eleven people have died after two ships collided Friday afternoon in central China's Hunan province, the local government said Saturday.

One person remains missing, said Liu Lanping, a spokesperson with the city government of Yuanjiang.

A steel ship carrying 22 people collided with an unloaded sand carrier around 4 p.m. Friday on a river in Yuanjiang. All 22 people onboard the steel ship fell into the river. Ten people were rescued, while another 11 perished, Liu said.

A search for the missing person is under way. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

"Around 4 p.m. Friday, I heard a sudden crashing sound," said 50-year-old fisherman Zhong Lepeng, who witnessed the collision.

Zhong said he saw the smaller of the two ships turn on its side, and its bow was submerged.

Zhong and other fishermen rushed to rescue those who had fallen off of the boat.

The survivors are receiving medical treatment.

A preliminary investigation by the local government indicated that the steel ship was not certified to carry passengers.