MANILA, Philippines – Two Chinese nationals were rescued in a search and rescue (SAR) operation for the sunken Panamanian-registered cargo vessel M/V Fortune Life that recently capsized in the waters off Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Captain Leovigildo Panopio, commander of PCG Northwestern Luzon, said the Chinese nationals were rescued by M/V Nord Delphinus and M/T Tal Tal on Saturday, November 29.
The PCG has placed the total number of rescued crewmen of M/V Fortune Life at 8, while 11 others are still missing.
It earlier reported that M/T Ashley“rescued 6 crew members” of M/V Fortune Life before continuing its passage to Japan.
A report from the Coast Guard Action Center said Aircraft Rescue 44 from Hong Kong is conducting an “aerial survey” to find the remaining missing crewmen.
On Friday, November 27 at around 11am, the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Center received a distress call from the ill-fated M/V Fortune Life. HKMRCC then notified the PCG about the maritime incident.
The cargo vessel left Kaohsiung port in Taiwan and was on its way to Kuching, Sarawak in Malaysia when the sea tragedy happened. The ship was carrying 7,500 metric tons of feldspar.
The ship had 19 crew on board – 18 Chinese and 1 Vietnamese nationals – who all remain unidentified to date. – Rappler.com