A Ukrainian ship that sunk after a collision with a Chinese vessel near Hong Kong on March 22 is expected to be pulled to the surface on April 26, Ukraine's Transportation Ministry said on Thursday according to RIA Novosti.
Seven of the 25 crewmembers were rescued in the South China Sea, and divers found three bodies. Fifteen have yet to be found.
Earlier attempts to pull the Naftogaz-67 tugboat to shallow waters failed, as the mast is embedded seven meters into the seabed, fixing the 2,723-ton vessel.
"Preparations for pulling up the Ukrainian vessel Naftogaz-67 are ongoing. The operation to lift the Naftogaz-67 has been postponed until Saturday, April 26," the ministry said in a statement.
The operation had been scheduled for April 24.
The families of the sailors that died in the accident are expected to receive around $20,000 each in compensation from the company that owns the tugboat, along with additional benefits and payments from the Ukrainian government.