Boat sinks in Yangtze river in China killing 21 people

Tug boat on sea trial had 25 people on board when it sank on Thursday

Tragic scenes as bodies are recovered from a boat that capsized off eastern China. 21 people died after a tug undergoing trials sank in the Yangtze river. Distraught Chinese family members of victims scuffled with police at the scene. Video: REUTERS

Chinese authorities have confirmed that 21 people were killed and one was missing after a tug boat undergoing sea trials sank in the Yangtze river, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

The 98ft (30m) boat had 25 people on board when it sank on Thursday, including four Singaporeans, an Indonesian, a Malaysian, an Indian and a Japanese, it said.

Three people, all Chinese, had been rescued. All eight foreigners died.

Sembcorp Marine Ltd, a Singapore-based shipbuilder, said on Friday the tug boat sank during a sea trial. Three of the company's employees were on board.

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Sembcorp Marine is part of Sembcorp Industries Ltd , an industrial conglomerate with Singapore's state investor Temasek Holdings being the biggest shareholder.

Xinhua said the 368-tonne boat was built by Anhui Bengbu Shenzhou Machinery in October.

Reuters