Broken-down missing fishing boat found by Chinese patrol

HA NOI — Contact was made with the captain and the crew of the missing fishing boat QNg 66487 TS at 12:45hrs last Saturday, reported the People's Committee of the central coastal province of Quang Ngai.

The fishing boat has been missing for the last few days after its engine broke down, requiring the fishermen to use blankets as a sail. It was later spotted by a Chinese patrol ship and the nine fishermen on board were taken to the Tru Cau Island of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago for shelter.

That afternoon, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son met Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam Sun Guoxiang and requested that China notify Viet Nam of the rescue so that the crew can be brought home safely.

According to the Vietnamese Embassy in China, on Saturday evening, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that China took fishing boat QNg 66487 TS and its nine crew members to an island of the Hoang Sa Archipelago.

Due to inclement weather, the fishing boat and its crew would have to stay on the island for the next few days, said the embassy.

The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry said it was working with the Chinese to bring fishing boat QNg 66487 TS and its crew home as soon as possible. — VNS

Mr.Thanh