A Ukrainian ship that sunk after a collision with a Chinese vessel near Hong Kong on March 22 has been pulled to the surface, Russia's TV Channel Vesti said on Sunday.

Earlier attempts to pull the Naftogaz-67 tugboat to shallow waters failed due to adverse weather conditions.

Seven of the 25 crewmembers were rescued in the South China Sea in an operation that began soon after the ship wreckage and divers found three bodies. Fifteen have yet to be found.

Ukraine's Transportation Ministry earlier said that the vessel would be pulled up, repaired and towed to land under an agreement signed by the Chinese company performing the search and rescue operation and by the vessel owner.

Chinese rescuers have found the bodies of two of the fifteen missing sailors on board the tugboat that has been pulled to the surface, Ukrainian TV Channel Five reported.

"The search for the other thirteen sailors continues," the television channel said.

The families of the sailors that died in the accident are expected to receive around $20,000 each in compensation from the company that owns the tugboat, along with additional benefits and payments from the Ukrainian government.

RIA Novosti


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