Sources with the Maritime Search and Rescue Center of the South
China Sea said Monday that China's rescue ship the Nanhaijiu 111
had called off its search for missing Vietnamese fishermen who were
caught in typhoon Chanchu.
Tang Zhongfa, the vice director of the rescue center, said as of
10:30 PM Sunday no further Vietnamese fishing boats had been found
throughout the extensive search area. Experts suggested boats which
are still missing may have returned to Vietnam now that the weather
had cleared.?
Tang said up to 5:00 PM Monday afternoon rescue ships had sailed
664 sea miles covering an area of 13,471 square kilometers. China's
rescue teams had found 22 Vietnamese boats, 500 fishermen, and 21
bodies. They had rescued and provided emergency assistance to 15
Vietnamese boats with 330 fishermen on board.
Vietnam said it had lost contact with 32 boats and 356 fishermen
during the typhoon. As of last Saturday seven boats and 88
fishermen remained missing.
Tang said Chinese rescue vessels are ready to renew their search
as soon as they receive any fresh information regarding the
location of any stranded fishermen.
China Maritime Search and Rescue Center was informed by the
Chinese Embassy in Vietnam last Friday afternoon that 22 Vietnamese
fishing boats carrying hundreds of fishermen were caught up in
Typhoon Chanchu and were running low on fuel and drinking water.
Vietnam asked China to help in the search operations.?
(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2006)