Search and rescue mission under way for capsized barge
A search and rescue mission has been launched after a barge capsized off the coast of Pedra Branca on Wednesday (May 20) morning.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) deployed two vessels after it received a report at around 10am that Bolivian-registered sand-carrier Oceanline SC208 had run into trouble 7.5 nautical miles north-east of the football-field sized island.
While a Chinese national crew member has been reportedly rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the remaining 14 crew members - one Malaysian and 13 Chinese nationals - have yet to be found.
Aside from the MPA's two vessels, two vessels from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSS Daring and RSS Fearless), the Singapore Police Coast Guard and several Malaysian vessels have been involved in the search operation.
In its statement, the MPA also said it was investigating the matter.
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