Two dead, two missing after Chinese fishing vessel capsizes off Taiwan’s Kinmen Islands

Taiwanese news outlets RTI and CNA report that two people were killed and another two have gone missing after a Chinese fishing vessel capsized and sank near Taiwan’s Kinmen Islands on Thursday, March 14.

The vessel identified as Min Long Yu 61222 was approximately 1.1 nautical miles off Dongding Island when it overturned with its six-strong crew still on board shortly before 03:00 local time on Thursday.

Taiwanese and Chinese officials have agreed to cooperate in the search and rescue (SAR) effort and have deployed vessels and other assets to the area. The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA) sent four patrol boats while the Chinese government contributed six helicopters and three response vessels, including the China Rescue Service and Salvage Bureau’s (CRS) large rescue ship Dong Hai Jiu 113.

A TCGA official said two survivors and two deceased individuals were pulled out of the water during the joint SAR operation. The four individuals have been identified as crewmembers on Min Long Yu 61222, which originated from Fujian province.

Rescuers will continue to search through the surrounding waters for any trace of the two missing Chinese sailors.

Local authorities have not yet issued any statement on the probable cause of the capsizing.