Two Dead After Axe Fight on Ship

Two people are dead and another injured after an axe fight between crew members on the Chinese bulk carrier MV Qing May.

The attack occurred while the Liberia-flagged vessel was sailing near the island of Jolo in the south of the Philippines, and local Coast Guard officials provided assistance early Sunday morning.

Two Chinese nationals were found dead. They have been identified as Xie Lhichao, a 28-year-old engineer, and Zhang Weenjo, a 35-year-old chief cook. A third man Liao Shiguo, a 49-year-old electrical engineer, suffered from a cut on his head and is believed to have had the axe that caused it still stuck in his head when help arrived.

It is unclear what caused the argument that lead to the bloody fight, as apparently none of the crew speak English. AFP reports that the suspect is believed to still be hiding on board which is now docked at Zamboanga.

The 200,000dwt vessel, operated by China’s Foremost group, was travelling from Australia to China when the incident occurred.