One Missing, 132 Fishermen Rescued from Burning Boat

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, July 10, 2002

One Missing, 132 Fishermen Rescued from Burning Boat

Local rescue teams in Taiwan were rushing Tuesday to find the last of 133 mainland fisherman stranded on a burning vessel off southern Taiwan as a tropical storm gathered pace.

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Local rescue teams in Taiwan were rushing Tuesday to find the last of 133 mainland fisherman stranded on a burning vessel off southern Taiwan as a tropical storm gathered pace.

Helicopters had managed to airlift 132 fishermen to safety after the Taiwan-registered "Yuanshen 2" caught fire, an official said.

"So far we have picked up 132 men out of the 133 people stranded on the boat. Five fishermen injured in the mishap have been hospitalised,"

Comprehensive rescue efforts were underway to search for the remaining fisherman still listed as missing, he said, adding that bad weather was now hampering the search.

Television footage earlier Tuesday showed a group of fishermen huddling together waiting for rescue near the bow of the boat while fires raged in the rest of the ship.

Local television had said two fishermen threw themselves into the rough seas whipped by tropical storm Nakri, which was heading towards the island, packing gusty winds and torrential rains.

Rescuers were unable to get near the fishing boat due to rough seas.

An unnamed fisherman said the incident happened after the engine room was flooded, which triggered the fire.

Cable television TVBS said the fishing boat caught fire and lost power while heading to Kaohsiung port to take shelter from the approaching tropical storm Nakri.

The local weather bureau issued storm warnings Tuesday.

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