Divers have so far recovered three bodies of 16 missing
crewmembers of a South Korean vessel that sank after colliding with
a Chinese operated container ship on May 12, according to the
Ministry of Communications.
One body was identified on Tuesday as the ship's captain.
Bad weather hampered further search and rescue work yesterday, a
ministry official said.
The Golden Rose sank off east China's coast after colliding in
heavy fog with the St Vincent-registered Jinsheng, operated by
Shandong Lufeng Shipping Company Ltd.
Eight crewmembers of the Golden Rose are South Koreans, seven
are from Myanmar and one from Indonesia.
Jinsheng was not damaged and sailed into port safely.
Shortly after receiving a report of the accident, China sent
rescue ships and helicopters to the scene. About 900 Chinese ships
and 13 aircraft took part in the mission. Thirty divers are still
at the scene, hampered by high winds and rough seas for the past
three days.
Three abandoned life rafts of the vessel have been found,
indicating there are no survivors.
Minister of Communications Li Shengli has asked rescue teams to
continue the search.
He also called for an investigation into the collision be held
as soon as possible.
(China Daily May 24, 2007)