Chinese fishing vessel capsizes in Indian Ocean with 39 missing

Author: Sevgul Gasimzade
Published: 17.05.2023 10:06

A Chinese fishing vessel has capsized in the central Indian Ocean, state media reported Wednesday, with its crew of 17 Chinese, 17 Indonesian and five Filipino sailors missing, allmarinenews allmarinenews informs.

"So far, no missing persons have been found," state broadcaster CCTV said, adding President Xi Jinping had ordered a search and rescue operation.

The vessel, named the Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 and owned by Penglai Jinglu Fishery Co, capsized at about 3 am Beijing time Tuesday (1900 GMT Monday), CCTV said.

Search and rescue teams from around the region have arrived on the scene and China has deployed two vessels to assist in the operation, the broadcaster reported.

Beijing's Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched an "emergency mechanism for consular protection" involving embassies and consulates in Australia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other countries, according to CCTV.