Home>News Center>World
         
 

Nine Chinese killed in fishing vessel fire
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-24 08:47

Firefighters on Thursday recovered the badly burned remains of eleven men, including nine Chinese, killed aboard a Ukrainian-flagged fishing vessel that caught fire in this port.

The "Simeiz," carrying a crew of 39, caught fire before dawn Wednesday in the harbor alongside the Uruguayan capital. But authorities said they had to wait until flames were out to board the vessel for fear that flammable refrigerants used in onboard freezers might explode.

A spokesman for the firefighters, Jorge Roqueta, said the victims were found in their bunks and that the bodies were so badly burned that it was difficult to identify the remains.

ruguayan firefighters stand by covered bodies on the deck of the Ukranian fishing vessel 'Simeiz' in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, June 23, 2005.
Uruguayan firefighters stand by covered bodies on the deck of the Ukranian fishing vessel 'Simeiz' in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, June 23, 2005.[AP]
Roqueta said the dead included nine Chinese, an Indonesian and a Ukrainian. Other crew safely accounted for included Peruvians, Spanish and Russian workers, he added.

The fire on the ship, a modern vessel nearly 200 feet long, sent black plumes high over Montevideo's harbor.

Uruguayan army ships battle to control a fire on a Ukranian fishing vessel, Simeiz, in Montevideo's harbour, June 22, 2005.
Uruguayan army ships battle to control a fire on a Ukranian fishing vessel, Simeiz, in Montevideo's harbour, June 22, 2005. [Reuters]
Roqueta said authorities were only beginning to investigate the fire, which swept through about 40 percent of the vessel but did not reach the engine room or the command deck.

The ship arrived in port on Monday. Montevideo is a busy port for ships heading to and from fishing grounds off southernmost South America.



Space shuttle Discovery launch delayed
Blair plans measures to uproot extremism
Pakistan train crash carnage kills 128
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Taiwan's KMT Party to elect new leader Saturday

 

   
 

'No trouble brewing,' beer industry insists

 

   
 

Critics see security threat in Unocal bid

 

   
 

DPRK: Nuke-free peninsula our goal

 

   
 

Workplace death toll set to soar in China

 

   
 

No foreign controlling stakes in steel firms

 

   
  Judge: Saddam trial could begin next month
   
  DPRK: Nuke-free peninsula our goal
   
  Pakistan train crash carnage kills 128
   
  NASA delays shuttle launch till Saturday
   
  Annan advocates UN Council expansion now
   
  Israel seals off Gaza Strip settlements
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Advertisement