Seven dead and one missing after inflatable boat explodes in Liaoning

Seven people have died and one remains missing after an inflatable boat carrying 13 people exploded off the coast of Liaoning province, local authorities said on Thursday afternoon.

The accident occurred at about 2:08 pm on Wednesday near Mopanshan Island in waters off Xingcheng, a county-level city administered by Huludao.

In response, maritime, emergency, police and health officials searched for the missing people, treating the injured and handling the aftermath of the accident, according to the statement from local authorities.

Five people were taken to hospital. Two of them were seriously injured, but their vital signs were stable, it said.

A preliminary investigation found that those on board were residents travelling between Juehua Island and nearby Mopanshan Island, about 0.8 nautical miles apart, to collect sea snails.

Investigators suspect fuel leaked from the boat's engine and ignited when it was restarted during the return journey.

The exact cause remains under investigation.