Cargo Ship Explosion Off Taiwan Kills 4

Cause of Blast Unclear, Dozens Injured

BEIJING (AP) -- An explosion engulfed a cargo ship near Taiwan on Saturday, killing at least four people and injuring dozens more, officials said.

The Blast

The explosion occurred on the bow of the YM Mobility, a container ship operated by Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp., the company said in a statement.

The vessel was carrying 2,523 containers from Hong Kong to Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan when the blast ripped through the ship at about 9:00 am local time.

Casualties and Damage

The explosion caused a massive fire, which was brought under control about two hours later, according to the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration.

Company officials said that four crew members were killed and 11 others remain missing. Another 20 people were injured, four of them seriously.

The ship was badly damaged in the explosion, with a large hole visible in its hull.

Investigation Underway

The cause of the explosion is still unknown and is under investigation.

Taiwanese investigators said they are looking at several possible causes, including a gas leak, a fire in the ship's cargo or an engine malfunction.

Conclusion

The explosion on the YM Mobility is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by seafarers around the world.

The cause of the blast is still unknown, but investigators hope to shed light on the incident and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.