Chinese diplomats offer help on freighter accident

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-07 13:51

EUBOEA ISLAND, Greece: Officials from the Chinese embassy in Greece on Wednesday went to the Euboea Island to deal with the collision between a Greek freighter and one from China's Hong Kong.

The two freighters clashed at the sea off the Euboea coast Tuesday noon. And they anchored at the Karystos port on the southern Euboea later, both slightly damaged.

Embassy officials visited the staff from local harbor authorities, hoping that the Greek side could finish the investigation into the accident as soon as possible.

They also hoped that the Greek authorities could offer convenience to the crew on the Hong Kong freighter and let it continue its journey.

The embassy officials then embarked on the Hong Kong freighter, named Jin Zhou, leaving some fruit and vegetable to the sailors.

Zheng Xiyuan, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Greece, said that the cause of the collision had not been determined.

The Chinese embassy was contacting with the Greek side to help the Chinese freighter, said Zhen.

Jin Zhou is a 50,000-ton freight ship owned by a Hong Kong company. The captain and chief engineer are from Hong Kong, while the rest 22 crew are from the Chinese mainland. The freighter had been on its trip for 21 days, heading for Turkey.