An industrial support vessel in the South China Sea sank in a storm with the possible loss of more than two dozen crew members, Hong Kong rescue services said. Authorities sent planes and helicopters to assist in the rescue, with at least three people out of a crew of 30 people being rescued as of 5:30 p.m. local time on Saturday. Photos released by the Hong Kong Government Flight Service showed a crew member being boarded by a rescue helicopter as large waves whipped the sunken ships, which had broken in two. A search of more than two dozen crew members whose ship broke in half and sank after being trapped near the center of Typhoon Chaba (Hong Kong Government Flight Service via AP )
The crash took place about 300 kilometers south of Hong Kong.
The flight service did not give the name or origin of the vessel.
In a statement, he said crew members were negotiating the hardships caused by the severe tropical storm Chaba, which was causing winds of 110 kilometers per hour.
The ship’s crew abandoned the ship after suffering significant damage in the South China Sea. (Hong Kong government flight service via AP) The ship sank about 300 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong. (Hong Kong Government Flight Service via AP) The storm caused disruptions in the region, with flights canceled and some companies closed due to strong winds and showers (Hong Kong Government Flight Service via AP)
The storm made landfall Saturday in the western part of Guangdong’s coastal province.
The Hong Kong service sent two fixed-wing planes and four helicopters for the rescue effort.
Hong Kong authorities on Thursday issued a warning about the typhoon, during the long-awaited visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The grand opening of a new Hong Kong Palace Museum that was to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the city’s shift from British to Chinese rule was postponed until Sunday due to the storm.
Flood water rescues when Sydney hit by heavy rains