A 10,000-tonnage dredger sank in the Huangpu River, which runs through China's largest commercial center Shanghai, on Saturday afternoon, said sources of local maritime affairs bureau.

The ship was conducting dredging near the Nanpu Bridge over the river when the accident occurred at 1:05 PM, according to the bureau.

The vessel leaned over suddenly during work and submerged within two hours, a bureau official said, adding crew and workers on the ship escaped before sinking.

The bureau quickly mobilized ships to the site of the accident to carry out salvage effort and handle navigation in the area.

An oil spill from the ship's engine room has been fenced off to prevent further pollution. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2006)