Japan conducts aerial search for 40 missing crewmen

September 7, 2020

Japan on Monday conducted aerial search operations for 40 missing crewmen from the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand of a sunken Panamanian cargo vessel, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

"As the area is still pounded by gusty winds, search by patrol boat is not possible at this time," the DFA said.

Two Filipino crewmen have been rescued, while another died after being found unconscious on Friday.

Gulf Livestock 1 had 43 crew members composed of 39 Filipinos, two New Zealander, one Australian and one Singaporean.

En route to port of Jingtang in Tangshan, Gulf Livestock 1 made a distress call on Sept. 2 from Amami Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture before it sank as Typhoon Maysak lashed the area.

The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, the DFA said, will continue to monitor and coordinate the situation with the Japanese Coast Guard, shipowner and the manning agency to extend all appropriate support for the Filipino seafarers and their families.

The search was halted  Saturday due to bad weather, when Typhoon Haishen was headed towards southwestern Japan. DMS