19 Missing After Shipwreck in South China Sea

Rescuers are still searching for 19 fisherman missing after five boats were sunk by Typhoon Usagi late last week in the South China Sea near China's island province of Hainan.

Sources said that 54 people have been rescued. One of them died later, and the others are reported to be in good condition.

When the typhoon arrived in the sea area on August 10, 52 fishing boats were operating 38 sea miles offshore. Five boats sank during the storm, throwing 73 people into the sea, and another 12 boats failed to return to land safely.

Wang Xiaofeng, governor of Hainan, has ordered an all-out effort to save the victims. Four helicopters, a dozen big vessels and many fishing boats have joined in the searching.






People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/