12 missing after ship sinks, another overturns in the Taiwan Strait

Thirteen people were rescued and 12 are still missing after one gravel ship sank and another overturned in the middle of the Taiwan Strait yesterday, October 6.

Taiwan’s National Rescue Command Center received a distress call from the vessels early yesterday morning.

A Coast Guard vessel was dispatched from Penghu, Taiwan to assist in the search and rescue operation. Other vessels and a helicopter were dispatched from China, while a fixed wing aircraft from Hong Kong also assisted.

According to Taiwan Coast Guard officers, the “Jialiang”, and “Donghong”, are flat-bottomed river-class vessels that should not be at sea. The ships are believed to have gotten into trouble in rough seas with winds of 8-9 on the Beaufort Scale.

Coast Guard officers tapped on the hull of the overturned “Donghong,” but received no response.

Sources: Liberty Times Network, United Daily News. Pictures: Taiwan Coast Guard.

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