MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Coast Guard found “no trace” of the 36 missing Filipino crew members of the cattle vessel that sank off Japan’s waters early September, Beijing’s embassy in Manila said Thursday.
The Philippine government earlier sought assistance from China as well as South Korea and Taiwan in the search and rescue operations for the missing seafarers.
In a statement, the embassy said Chinese authorities conducted a rescue mission for two consecutive days earlier this week.
“As requested by the Department of Labor & Employment of the Philippines, the China Coast Guard has already conducted rescue operations in relevant waters to search the 36 missing crew members of Panamanian Vessel M/V Gulf Livestock…but regretfully found no trace of missing crew members,” it said.
Nevertheless, the embassy said it would continue to extend assistance to the Philippines if sought by the government.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the missing crew members,” it said.
“We will continue to provide necessary assistance as requested by the Philippine side and sincerely hope all of them could be found at the earliest,” it added.
Gulf Livestock 1 went missing and reported to have capsized last September 3 in the East China Sea on its way to China from New Zealand due to Typhoon Maysak.
The ship carried 43 crew members, 39 of whom are from the Philippines, two from New Zealand, and two from Australia.
The Japanese Coast Guard has so far rescued two Filipinos while the body of another Filipino was retrieved. [ac]