Fire Services divers conducting a search and rescue operation early this morning (March 26), recovered the bodies of two crew members inside the Ukrainian tugboat which sank east of Brothers Island on Saturday (March 22).

The bodies were taken to the surface and certified dead by Fire Services ambulance personnel. They were handed over to Police for investigation.

In the operation, a Fire Services diver was believed to have suffered from decompression illness. He received treatment in the decompression chamber on Fireboat "Excellence" and was later conveyed to the occupational health clinic of the Labour Department for medical examination.

The search and rescue operation for the remaining crew members is continuing.

Meanwhile, Police would assist in conducting an enquiry into ascertaining the identity of the bodies.

 

Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:25