An oil tanker was engulfed in flames in the sea, killing 2 in southern China.

Dramatic video filmed in Qinzhou City in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on August 22 shows black smoke coming out of a 117.4-metre-long and 16.5-metre-wide oil tank in the middle of a sea.

Multiple agencies including emergency services, maritime officials, coastal guards, fire departments, public security, environmental and health sectors, mobilised in a collective response.

A coordinated effort was in motion with three coastguard vessels, three maritime patrol ships, one specialised rescue ship, four tugboats, and a pollution-cleaning vessel dispatched to the scene to rescue any survivors, handle the blaze, and implement anti-pollution measures.

The "Saint Oil 229" was loaded with 6,858 tons of diesel fuel. Initial reports verified that there were 17 crew members on board when disaster struck.

Fifteen of the crew were rescued and two were missing. Firefighters later discovered the bodies of the two missing crew members on the starboard deck, confirming their tragic demise.

Miraculously, the incident didn't result in any oil leakage into the sea, averting an environmental crisis.

Efforts to prevent any maritime pollution are progressing smoothly, while investigations into the root cause of the accident are ongoing.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

8月22日14时30分许，一艘深圳籍油轮“圣油229”轮在广西钦州北部湾海域着火。事发后，广西钦州市立即启动应急预案，组织应急、海事、海警、消防、公安、生态环境、卫健等部门前往现场救援处置，协调海警船3艘、海巡船3艘、专业救助船1艘、拖轮4艘、清污船1艘前往事发水域开展人员搜救、火灾处置和防污染应急处置。
“圣油229”轮船长117.4米，型宽16.5米，装载柴油6858吨，初步核实船上共17人。
截至当天15时40分许，已有15人获救，2人失联。16时45分许，船上明火已扑灭，21时40分，消防人员在右舷甲板发现2名失联人员，已确认死亡。暂无油品泄漏入海。
目前，海上防污染工作正在有序进行，事故原因仍在调查中。