Chinese fishing vessel capsizes in Indian Ocean, 39 crew members missing

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for a concerted effort to rescue the crew, which includes 17 Chinese nationals, 17 Indonesians, and five Filipinos, as reported by state news agency Xinhua.

Search and rescue teams have been deployed to the scene, with China sending at least two ships to assist. Additionally, vessels from Australia and other countries have joined the search operation. As of now, none of the crew members have been found.

The fishing vessel, named "Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028" and owned by Penglai Jinglu Fishery based in Shandong province, capsized in the central part of the Indian Ocean at approximately 3 a.m. local time on Tuesday, according to Chinese state media.

China's Foreign Ministry expressed gratitude to the Australian Maritime Search and Rescue Department for promptly dispatching aircraft and coordinating with passing vessels, as stated in a Wednesday statement. (ILKHA)