39 Missing Crew Members Including Indonesian Citizens, Xi Jinping Instructs Additional Search Strength For Sinking Ships

Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Wikimedia Commons/Have you heard it?

JAKARTA - Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed additional search troops for Chinese-flagged vessels that sank in the waters of the Indian Ocean.

"President Xi also issued special instructions to coordinate with international SAR so that search efforts continue," said Chinese Foreign Ministry (MFA) spokesman Wang Wenbin in Beijing, reported by ANTARA, Thursday, May 18.

The Chinese-flagged fishing boat Lupeng Yuanyu-028 sank while sailing in the waters of the Indian Ocean in the central region on Tuesday (16/5) in the early hours of the morning.

All 39 crew members, consisting of 17 Chinese nationals, 17 Indonesian citizens, and five Filipino citizens, have yet to be found.

According to Wang, several countries in the region have also assisted in the rescue operation of the crew.

"Negara-negara seperti Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Maldives, and the Philippines have deployed emergency assistance and expressed sympathy to the crew," katanya.

The Chinese government, he continued, appreciated the help of some of these countries.

"Until now, the search and rescue operation of the crew is still ongoing," he said.

The Chinese government prioritizes the lives of the crew of the fishing boat.