11 Indian crew missing after vessel sinks off Philippines

New Delhi, October 13

Eleven Indian crew members went missing on Friday after their cargo ship sank in the Pacific off the Philippines, prompting Indian missions in the Philippines, Japan and China to launch a search for them.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said these missions were regularly monitoring the situation.

“Fifteen Indians rescued, search on for missing 11 following sinking of a ship off Okinawa. Our Missions in Japan, Philippines and China on the job,” he tweeted.

He also said the names of the rescued Indians as received from Japanese officials.

According to a statement from the Japanese coastguard, the 33,205-tonne Emerald Star with 26 Indian nationals on board sent a distress signal early today as the Hong Kong-registered vessel was sailing some 280 kilometres east of the northern tip of the Philippines. PTI