Ten bodies have been found along the coast of east China's Fujian Province in the aftermath of a tropical storm that struck the area late last month. Seven of the ten have been confirmed as fishermen who disappeared after a storm capsized their boat off Guangdong Province on July 27.

The fishing boat Yuenan'ao 33090 was hit by tropical storm Malou and capsized near Nanpeng Island. The captain was rescued but all 21 crewmembers were missing.

The search started when the Shantou Maritime Salvage Center received a report from relatives of the crew, saying they had lost contact with the boat. Elements of the South China Sea Fleet and Marine Departments from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region joined the effort.

The search operation is continuing, but the chance of finding any survivors is considered slim.

(Xinhua News Agency August 4, 2004)