Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, June 06, 2002
6 Chinese Missing in S. Korean Fishing Vessel Capsizing
A South Korean fishing vessel "Beira 5" sank on Sunday morning off the coast of the southern Mozambican province of Gaza, according to the local media on Monday. By now six members were saved and the other 18 are still missing, including 6 Chinese.
A South Korean fishing vessel "Beira 5" sank on Sunday morning off the coast of the southern Mozambican province of Gaza, according to the local media on Monday.
The ship went down between the provincial capital, Xai-Xai, about 200 kilometers north of Maputo, and the tourist resort of Bilene.
Citing a communique issued by the Mozambican Maritime Administration, the report said that an operation was launched immediately to rescue the 24 crew members, with the boats and helicopters.
However, the helicopters had to be called off in the afternoon due to bad weather. The boats, however, continued to search for survivors.
The crew consisted of six Mozambicans, including the onboard fishing inspector, four South Koreans, seven Chinese, six Indonesians and one Russian.
By now six members were saved, including a Chinese, and the other 18 are still missing.
The saved Chinese, named Jin Yongri, is now receiving treatment in Maputo. As is known, the seven Chinese abroad are all from China's Jilin province. Through labor export they were employed by South Korean--based MOZCO company, which then rent the boat and crew to a Mozambican company.
Now the rescue work is still on and Chinese officials have talked with Mozambican and South Korean sides, hoping them to make all efforts to search for the missing people.