The famed Jumbo Floating Restaurant in Hong Kong capsized on Sunday after it encountered ‘adverse conditions’ in the South China Sea. The vessel sank when it was being towed away by tugboats from its home of 46 years.
The Jumbo Floating Restaurant capsized in the South China Sea. (Image credits: File photo/AFP)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hong Kong’s famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant capsized on Sunday
- No crew members were injured in the incident
- The vessel has welcomed celebrities such as Queen Elizabeth II and Tom Cruise since 1976
Hong Kong’s famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant capsized on Sunday (June 19) after encountering “adverse conditions” in the South China Sea.
No crew members were injured, said the Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises in a statement posted on Twitter.
“When passing Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, the vessel encountered adverse conditions which water soon entered before it began to tip.”
“Despite the efforts of the towing company responsible for the trip to rescue the vessel, unfortunately, it capsized on Sunday.” The company added it was “very saddened” by this incident.
The vessel, which resembled a Chinese imperial palace, has welcomed celebrities such as Queen Elizabeth II and Tom Cruise with Cantonese cuisine since 1976.
Residents had said their goodbyes to the iconic Jumbo Seafood Restaurant on Tuesday (June 14) as it was towed away by tugboats from its home of 46 years.
In 2020, Jumbo ceased operations due to the coronavirus outbreak. After months of Covid-19 restrictions, its parent company was unable to find a new owner and lacked the funds to maintain it.
