The bodies of the two Chinese tourists who died when two vessels collided in Vietnam were back in China on Sunday, local authorities have confirmed..

The bodies were in caskets and accompanied by their relatives. They arrived at the Dongxing City of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Sunday afternoon, said Wu Liancai, director of the city's Foreign Affairs Office.

The Vietnamese government has offered compensation of 120,000 yuan (US$15,000) for each victim. Of this 10,000 yuan (US$1,250) has already been paid. Detailed information about the victims is unknown.

The collision happened near Mong Cai town of Quang Ninh Province Friday morning when a hydrofoil with 30 people on board, including five crew, set out from the province's Ha Long City and hit a stationary cargo vessel. Visibility was poor.

Two Chinese and another person the Republic of Korea were killed in the accident. Eighteen others were injured nine of whom are serious.

The Vietnamese have given 50,000 yuan (US$6,450) to each of the badly injured and 30,000 yuan (US$3,870) to those who were slightly hurt.

The injured were sent back earlier this week and are now in a Chinese hospital.

(Xinhua News Agency February 12, 2007)