[Photo: Wen Wei Po]

Divers have recovered the body of one of 18 sailors feared drowned when a Ukrainian tugboat sank in waters off Hong Kong last week, China News Service reported today.

It was a great breakthrough in the salvage operation, the report said, citing the team leader from Guangzhou Salvage Bureau.

Divers found an entry point to the vessel last night after studying structural plans and entered a lounge on the deck, Zhou Rongde, director of the fire-fighting department of Hong Kong Marine, said.

But divers still could not get into the cabin where other sailors might be trapped because of strong currents, Zhou added.

Divers had just minutes to dive into the cabin during ebbs when the sea currents had abated.

The accident occurred near the Brothers, an island group located between Tun Men and the Hong Kong International Airport, on Saturday night, when the tugboat collided with the Chinese cargo ship, Yaohai.