China planning to send robot sub to sunken ship

BEIJING — Jan 17, 2018, 4:51 AM ET
In this Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 photo provided by Chinas Ministry of Transport, smokes and frames from the burning Iranian oil tanker Sanchi in the East China Sea off the eastern coast of China. The fire from the sunken Iranian tanker ship in the EastThe Associated Press
In this Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 photo provided by China's Ministry of Transport, smokes and frames from the burning Iranian oil tanker Sanchi in the East China Sea off the eastern coast of China. The fire from the sunken Iranian tanker ship in the East China Sea has burned out, a Chinese transport ministry spokesman said Monday, although concerns remain about possible major pollution to the sea bed and surrounding waters. (Ministry of Transport via AP)

China's Transport Ministry says preparations are underway to send a robot submarine possibly followed by divers to explore and plug holes in a sunken Iranian oil tanker whose 32 crew members are all believed to have died.

The Shanghai Maritime Search and Rescue Centre and a Hong Kong newspaper on Wednesday say authorities will send larger salvage vessels to support the operation.

China says the Sanchi is lying under 115 meters (377 feet) of water in the East China Sea. It caught fire after colliding with a freighter on Jan. 6 and exploded and sunk on Sunday about 530 kilometers (330 miles) southeast of Shanghai.

The report says an expanding slick from its cargo of natural gas condensate is being monitored for potential environmental damage with cleanup efforts being organized.

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