By Alec Go
Five Filipinos were among the 39 reported missing sailors after a Chinese fishing vessel Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 (LPY28) capsized in the Indian Ocean, the Chinese Embassy said Wednesday, May 17.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing. The missing Filipino sailors have not yet been named.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Armand Balilo said the capsizing took place 2, 900 miles northwest of Australia.
“As reported, 4 vessels and three aircrafts are conducting search and rescue operations. The target are two life rafts allegedly carrying the crew. Rough weather condition prevailing in the area of SAR operations,” he said.
The PCG said it is “closely coordinating with the Chinese Embassy regarding the maritime incident.”
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said Chinese President Xi Jinping has already activated their emergency response mechanism following the incident.
Seventeen Chinese sailors were also missing.
Huang said XI is also “verifying the situation, sending more rescue forces, coordinating international maritime search and rescue assistance, and making every effort to contact all relevant local parties and coordinate the search and rescue work.”
Huang said two Chinese vessels, the Lu Peng Yuan Yu 108 and Yuan Fu Ha, were already at the last known location of the vessel for investigation and operations,
“The Chinese Embassy also rushed in close coordination with the Philippines’ DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs], PCG, and other concerned agencies regarding the maritime incident,” he said.
“We pray for the safety of all the sailors as we continue with the operations and coordination,” he added.