Chinese Ship Sinks In The Indian Ocean, 2 People Found Dead

PIXABAY ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Two people are confirmed dead, while the search for 37 crew members is still continuing after the Chinese-flagged fishing boat sank in the Indian Ocean.

In addition to neighboring countries, Indian maritime patrols also joined search and rescue operations, officials said.

China's Ministry of Transport said two people were found dead in the incident, according to a report by the Xinhua News Agency.

As reported by ANTARA, Friday, May 19, the ministry said there were 10 ships, including three Chinese naval vessels and one foreign vessel, conducting search and rescue at the site, adding "there would be more ships to come."

In a statement, the Indian Navy on Thursday said it was deploying air support for search and rescue operations after the ship sank in the Indian Ocean this week with 39 passengers.

The deep-sea fishing boat sank before dawn on Tuesday in the Indian Ocean at 3 am Beijing time (2 a.m. Indonesian Western Time).

The crew consisted of 17 Chinese nationals, 17 Indonesian citizens, and five Filipinos.

The Indian Navy said their P8i aircraft carried out repeated and extensive searches despite bad weather and found many objects likely belonging to the sinking ship.

Beijing has contacted Australia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries to join search and rescue operations.