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Belgian ship leaking oil in north China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-25 14:16

SHIJIAZHUANG: A Chinese ship hit a Belgian cargo vessel in a dock in north China Saturday evening, causing oil leakage, the local maritime authority said Sunday.

The Chinese oil supplier "Jinyou No.1" hit the stern of the Belgian vessel "Lowlands Prosperity" docking at the Kuangshi Wharf of Caofeidian port area in Hebei Province at about 5 pm Saturday.

The 289-meter-long, 45-meter-wide Belgian ship had planned to unload and get oil refilling at the dock, but the clash caused damage on the hull and oil leak.

The maritime departments of Hebei immediately launched emergency response campaigns and dispatched ships and workers to the site.

Workers said the oil leak had been temporarily put under control but a thick fog hindered the operation Sunday morning.

The volume of leaked oil and the acreage of affected water area remained unknown.