7 bodies found as search for Chinese vessel's missing crew continues

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Seven bodies have been recovered while a search for another 32 crew is still ongoing after a Chinese deep-sea fishing vessel capsized in the Indian Ocean last week, Chinese officials said.

Three Chinese naval ships are involved in this maritime rescue mission, according to officials.

The fishing vessel Lupeng Yuanyu 028, owned by Shandong-based Penglai Jinglu Fishery, capsized in the central Indian Ocean about 5,000 kilometers (3,106 miles) west of Perth, Australia, on May 16.

The crew on board included 17 Chinese nationals, 17 Indonesians, and five Filipinos.

According to the Chinese daily Global Times, the extensive maritime rescue operation covered an area of approximately 18,700 square nautical miles following the accident.

Beijing had contacted Australia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other countries to join the search and rescue operations.