Two dead following boat pursuit near Taiwan’s Kinmen Islands

Two Chinese nationals are confirmed dead after their vessel capsized while being pursued by Taiwanese authorities in the waters off the Kinmen archipelago on Wednesday, February 14.

The unnamed vessel, which originated from mainland China, had approached to within one nautical mile off Kinmen when it was sighted by the crew of a Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA) patrol boat at around 13:45 local time on Wednesday, the TCGA told Singapore news outlet CNA.

The coast guard personnel instructed the crew of the Chinese vessel to prepare for an inspection as they were trespassing in prohibited waters. The Chinese crew instead manoeuvred their vessel away from the patrol boat and sped off, forcing the latter to give chase.

The Chinese vessel then capsized and all four of its crew were thrown into the sea. These same individuals were later pulled out of the water and brought to hospital.

The TCGA said two Chinese crewmembers who were found unconscious were later pronounced deceased.

The two survivors are meanwhile reportedly in stable condition and are awaiting questioning by local prosecutors.

The Chinese government, through its Taiwan Affairs Office, condemned what it said was “a vicious incident” and called on the Taiwanese authorities to conduct a full investigation into the capsizing.

Officials in Taipei have expressed regret over the deaths of the two Chinese nationals but reiterated that the coast guard crew had acted in accordance with the law.