Off the wire
• 874 commandos commissioned to Afghan Special Forces Division  • Sri Lanka continues to probe over alleged coup attempt  • Man prosecuted after killing citizens with car at Beijing stadium  • Namibia's Cruiserweight champion Meroro to challenge Russian Kudryashov for WBA title  • Watch deal highlights timeless quality of cloisonne  • HKEx eyes commodities connect with Chinese mainland  • HK bans import of poultry meat and products from U.S. county  • China, Malaysia to host ARF disaster drill  • Xi stresses befriending non-CPC elites  • TPP could stifle research, artistic creation: New Zealand university head  
You are here: 　 Home

Bolivian-registered sand-carrier capsizes in Singapore waters, 14 crew missing

Xinhua, May 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

A Bolivian-registered sand- carrier had capsized in Singapore waters, causing 14 crew members missing, among which, 13 are Chinese, according to a press release by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Wednesday.

The MPA said that it received a report that a Bolivian- registered sand-carrier, Oceanline SC208, had capsized 7.5 nautical miles northeast of Pedra Branca in Singapore waters.

According to the vessel's agent, there were 15 crew members onboard at the time of the incident. A Chinese national was reportedly rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, while fourteen others are still unaccounted for. Among them, one is a Malaysian and the rest are Chinese nationals.

MPA had deployed two vessels immediately and is coordinating the search and rescue (SAR) operations which involves vessels from the Republic of Singapore Navy, the Singapore Police Coast Guard and several Malaysian vessels, it said. MPA has also engaged salvage companies to conduct salvage operations.

Navigational broadcasts have been made to vessels in the vicinity to keep clear of the SAR area and to report any sightings of the missing persons, MPA said, adding that it is now investigating the incident. Endi