HONG KONG aEUR “A South China Sea-based industrial support vessel has been sunk by a storm, possibly resulting in the death of over two dozen crew members,” rescue teams in Hong Kong reported Saturday.
Authorities sent planes and helicopters to assist in the rescue. At least three of the 30 crew members were brought to safety by the authorities at 5:30 p.m. (1130 GMT) Saturday.
The Hong Kong Government Flying Service released photos showing one crew member being lifted up to a rescue helicopter by big waves that hit sinking vessels.
The accident happened about 300 km (186 miles) south from Hong Kong.
The Flying Service didn’t give any details about the vessel’s origin or name. The Flying Service stated that crew members were having difficulties navigating the Severe Tropical Storm Chaba which was producing winds up to 110 km (68 miles per hour).
Later Saturday, the storm struck the western coast of Guangdong.
For the rescue operation, four helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft were sent by the Hong Kong service.
