From correspondents in Hong Kong, China, 10:00 AM IST

Two people died after a barge collided with a ferry travelling between Hong Kong and China, news reports said Friday.

The two dead, believed to be Dutch tourists, were among 10 people who were injured in the collision which happened at around 8 p.m. Thursday (12.00 GMT).

The ferry was carrying 75 passengers and nine crew members from the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, when it collided with the barge close to its destination of Guangzhou, southern China.

The ferry is believed to have been pierced by a conveyor belt.

A spokesman for the Marine Department said the injured were taken to a local hospital and the dead were expatriates.

The South China Morning Post, however, quoted hospital staff as saying the dead were Dutch tourists.

An investigation is expected to be carried out on the circumstances of the collision.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)