Death toll in HK ferry tragedy rises to 39
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A group of firemen and police officers investigate on a salvaged boat which sank after colliding with a ferry near Lamma Island, off the south-western coast of Hong Kong Island on Wednesday, Oct 3, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
HONG KONG (AP) - Hong Kong authorities say the death toll from the city's biggest maritime tragedy in decades has risen to 39.
The government says another person has died following the collision between a commuter ferry and a boat carrying people to watch national day fireworks on Monday evening. All 39 people who died were on the boat headed to the fireworks display.
The disaster just off Lamma Island, the third largest island in Hong Kong, also left nearly 100 people injured.
The government said late on Friday that rescuers were calling off their search for missing people after accounting for everyone aboard both vessels.
