Sand Carrier Sinks in China, 9 Dead and 2 Missing

The capsizing of a 1,500-ton sand carrier has left 9 dead and 2 missing on a tributary of Dongting Lake in China. The shipwreck occurred during high intensity winds in the Hunan province, according to authorities in the neighboring province of Hubei.

There were reportedly a total of 17 people aboard the ship as it sank. Nine people have been confirmed dead including the ship’s captain, his wife and their 8-year-old daughter, as rescuers have recovered their bodies. Six people have been rescued and two still remain unaccounted for.

Survivors have returned home after medical evaluations and treatment at a local hospital. Authorities are still investigating the incident.

Photo (thumb): Dongting Lake in China's Hunan province