Acid ship 'sinks in China's Yangtze'
BEIJING — A ship carrying 100 tonnes of hydrochloric acid sank in China's Yangtze river on Sunday after colliding with another vessel, state media reported, citing local officials.
The collision happened during strong winds in central Hubei province, Xinhua news agency said, adding that efforts were under way to retrieve the highly corrosive cargo.
The report did not say if the acid was contained on the sunken ship or had leeched into the water.
However, it cited officials from the Hubei Provincial Environmental Protection Department as saying tests on the water revealed a pH of betwen 7.5 and 8.0, which it said was within the normal range.
A reading of pH 7.5 is neutral, with figures higher than that indicating alkalinity while those lower indicate acidity.
Crew members were rescued from the vessel and local authorities estimated the operation to recover the chemicals would be completed Monday morning, according to Xinhua.
Industrial accidents are not uncommon in China, where an emphasis on economic growth has lead to widespread disregard for standards.
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According to Chinese state media ''Xinhua'', a ship carrying a hazardous cargo has sunk into the Yangtze river. The vessel took its cargo of 100 tonnes of highly corrosive hydrochloric acid down with it after colliding with another vessel today.

The report cited an official with the Hubei Provincial Environmental Protection Department as saying "We are paying close attention to the water quality in this area," and that acidity is currently normal. The collision, attributed to strong winds, occurred in Jiangxi Province, where the stricken ship was registered.

The crew have been rescued and authorities say they have located the chemicals and are working to recover them. That process is expected to be completed early on Monday, according to ''Xinhua''.