Tourists injured in Shanghai river collision

Beijing, June 24: At least 23 tourists, including 11 foreigners, were injured when their ship collided in heavy rain with a cargo vessel on the Huangpu river, which runs through downtown Shanghai, the Xinhua news agency said.

The ''Shikumen'' passenger ship with 216 tourists aboard crashed yesterday with a cargo vessel moving in the opposite direction on the Huangpu, which is normally crowded with barges, tourist boats and dinner cruises.

At least 23 tourists, including eight from Japan and three from Spain, were rushed to hospital, most with minor injuries.

''I heard two bangs and thought they were lightning strikes,'' recalled Chinese tourist Qin Zhengbing, whose head was slammed against a column by the collision. Rain had kept most of the tourists indoors, limiting damage.

The cargo ship, from neighbouring Zhejiang Province, was seized by police, Xinhua said.

Reuters>