(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-18 09:14

The two vessels that collided in China's Bohai Sea on Saturday is escorted by special salvage ships towards shallow waters near Yantai of East China's Shandong Province, according to the Ministry of Communications.

The Germany-registered container vessel "Hanjin Gothen Burg" collided with the Panama-registered cargo vessel "Chang Tong" at about 7:40 pm on Saturday at 41 sea miles north of Yantai, with the bow of the German ship cut into the Panama vessel.

The two vessels were kept in the same conditions when the collision occurred to reduce water flowing into the cabins, and Chinese rescue men had decided to move the two vessels to shallow waters before separating them from each other.

The two vessels began to move towards shallow waters for further rescue efforts at around 8:15 pm on Monday with waves running two meters high, and they were moving steadily at around 1.5 knots per hour.

The two ships are expected to reach the destination in more than 10 hours if no further accidents occurs.

However, weather in the area is worsening and the wind speed is forecast to reach 24 to 38 miles per hour later.

The keel and the oil tank of "Chang Tong" might have been damaged, and the vessel may break and sink during the trip to shallow waters, said the rescue personnel.

The 26 crew members of the damaged "Chang Tong" have been safely transported to the German vessel.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is still under way.