KUALA LUMPUR – A Tanzania-flagged cargo ship sank off Taiwan’s southern coast, forcing its nine Myanmar crew members to abandon ship, said the island’s National Fire Agency.
Agency chief Hsiao Huan-chang said the crew fell into the sea with their life jackets.
Rescue efforts will be challenging as Taiwan is impacted by Typhoon Gaemi.
So far, another cargo ship nearby has been called to assist the rescue. Taiwan’s central emergency operation centre said more rescuers will be deployed to freighter Fu-Shun once weather conditions improve.
Typhoon Gaemi made landfall last night, resulting in about 87,000 households being without electricity, while schools, offices and financial markets remained closed.
So far, at least two people have been killed and nearly 300 injured.
More than 4,000 people have been evacuated from the mountainous regions for fear of landslides due to the heavy rain.
About 400 flights and main railway operations have been cancelled. – July 25, 2024