A foreign cargo ship collided with a fishing boat in the southwest waters of Hainan Island. Eight people on the fishing boat were missing.

　　China News Service, Haikou, April 3 (Reporter Fu Yuqun) The reporter learned from the Hainan Provincial Maritime Search and Rescue Center on the 3rd that at 0:15 on April 3, the Panamanian container ship SITC DANANG ("Haifeng Da Nang") and the fishing boat The "Yuenan Aoyu 36062" collided 22 nautical miles southwest of Yinggehai Town, Ledong, Hainan, causing the fishing boat to sink and 8 people on the fishing boat fell into the water and lost contact.

On April 3, after receiving a report of danger from the SITC DANANG ship, the Hainan Provincial Maritime Search and Rescue Center coordinated all parties to carry out search and rescue. The picture shows some of the ships participating in the search and rescue. Photo courtesy of Hainan Maritime Safety Administration

　　At 1:50 on April 3, the Hainan Provincial Maritime Search and Rescue Center received a report of danger from the SITC DANANG ship, and coordinated with the Hainan Maritime Safety Administration, the South China Sea Rescue Bureau, and the military and police departments to dispatch official ships, professional rescue ships, and ships to the sea area where the incident occurred. Carry out rescue and coordinate with the Nanhai Rescue Bureau, CNOOC Hainan Branch, China Southern Airlines and other units to send 5 aircraft to carry out aerial search. Qiong and Guangdong also sent a number of fishing boats to participate in the search. As of 17:30, a total of 21 ships and 5 aircraft were conducting surface and air searches at the scene.

　　The reporter learned that the Hainan Provincial Maritime Search and Rescue Center has coordinated with the maritime department to issue navigation warnings to remind passing ships to pay attention to navigation safety and strengthen lookouts. It has also coordinated passing merchant ships to participate in search and rescue, and rescued people who fell into the water in a timely manner.

　　At present, relevant professional forces have arrived at the scene and launched remotely operated submersibles to conduct underwater searches. As of press time, no missing persons have been found, and the cause of the accident is under investigation. (over)