Two ships on the Huangpu River collided with each other, causing a leakage of 50 tons of gasoline, at 11:40 AM Saturday in Shanghai, according to sources with the Shanghai municipal maritime bureau.

Chaoyangping No.8, a 3,000 ton-class tanker loaded with gasoline, collided with another 3,000 ton ship carrying rolled steel, at the water space near the Jungong road pier of the Huangpu River, and the fourth and fifth cabins on the right side of the oil tanker "Chaoyangping No.8" were broken with two holes, and 50 tons of gasoline spilled into the river, with the formation of a 100-meter by 220-meter smeary spill on the river.

Another ship was also affected. Emergency efforts were taken by the Shanghai maritime bureau, and all nearby ships evacuated, and all the gasoline on the accident ship unloaded.

An investigation is underway for the cause of the accident.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2005)