UPDATE - 12 more bodies from missing Chinese fishing vessel in Indian Ocean, 25 remain missing

UPDATES WITH SRI LANKAN NAVY STATEMENT, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) — 12 more bodies from the missing Chinese vessel were [ASA3] found, the Sri Lankan Navy said on Wednesday.

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

Several Chinese and foreign naval ships are involved in the ensuing rescue mission.

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

Two bodies had been found earlier, while the search for 25 others is ongoing.

The extensive maritime rescue operation covered an area of approximately 18,700 square nautical miles following the capsizing of the Lupeng Yuanyu 028.

The deep-sea Chinese fishing vessel capsized before dawn last week on Tuesday in the Indian Ocean at around 3 a.m. Beijing time (1900GMT Monday).

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