Fourteen Missing After Barge Capsizes in Singapore

Fourteen persons are lacking after a barge capsized in Singapore waters on Wednesday.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore says the incident was reported at roughly 10:00 a.m. Wednesday morning. The report mentioned that the Bolivian-registered sand provider, Oceanline SC208, capsized about 7.5 nautical miles north-east of Pedra Branca, one of many easternmost islands within the waters off Singapore.

According to the vessel’s agent, there have been 15 crew members onboard on the time of the incident. A Chinese nationwide was reportedly rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, whereas fourteen crew members are nonetheless unaccounted for, the MPA reported. Those lacking embrace one Malaysian and 13 Chinese crewmembers.

The search and rescue is being coordinated by Singapore and includes two vessels from the Republic of Singapore Navy, Singapore’s Police Coast Guard and several other Malaysian vessels. MPA has additionally engaged salvage corporations to conduct salvage operations. The MPA says that it dispatched two vessels instantly after receiving the report of the incident.

Navigational broadcasts have been points to vessels within the neighborhood to maintain away from the SAR space and to report any sightings of the lacking individuals, the MPA reported.

The incident is presently underneath investigation.