World News | Chinese envoy asks Australia to step up search for 39 capsized fishing boats in Indian Ocean

CANBERRA, May 18 (AP) — A Chinese envoy on Thursday asked Australian authorities to step up efforts to search for survivors of 39 people missing from a capsized Chinese fishing boat in the Indian Ocean.

Xiao Qian, the ambassador to Australia, said Australian authorities had sent four planes and three ships to the search area in the center of the Indian Ocean.

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No survivors or life rafts were found.

Xiao said China hoped to coordinate with “friendly countries” including Australia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives in the search and rescue efforts following Tuesday’s capsizing.

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The upturned hull of a cargo ship was found on Tuesday 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) northwest of the city of Perth on Australia’s west coast, search coordinator the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.

Chinese authorities said the missing crew included 17 Chinese, 17 Indonesians and five Filipinos.

“We hope they will send more — more planes, more ships, more staff,” Shaw told reporters, referring to Australian authorities.

“We expect our Australian colleagues to be able to coordinate with other international or foreign vessels in the vicinity of the area … to help with the search and rescue and save as many lives as possible.”

On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang ordered Chinese diplomats, as well as the ministries of agriculture and transportation, to assist in the search for survivors.

Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines also offered to join the search, with commercial and fishing boats scouring the area for survivors on Wednesday.

The search and rescue agency did not immediately respond to a request for an update on the search operation on Thursday.

Transportation Secretary Catherine King, who is in charge of the search, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The reason for the overturn was not stated.

The capsized Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 is reportedly located in the eastern coastal province of Shandong and is operated by Penglai Jinglu Fishery Co. Another Chinese vessel, the Lu Peng Yuan Yu 018, was operating near the upturned hull and had been asked to conduct a grid search for survivors, according to Indonesian authorities. (Associated Press)

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