Rescuers were looking for more than two dozen crew of a ship that broke into two during a typhoon in the South China Sea on Saturday.
The 30-strong crew of the engineering vessel abandoned ship when it “suffered substantial damage and broke into two pieces” about 160 nautical miles south-west of Hong Kong, according to the Hong Kong Government Flying Service.
Three people had been rescued as of 3pm local time [0700 GMT] and were taken to hospital for treatment, authorities said.
Video from Hong Kong authorities showed a person being airlifted on to a helicopter while waves crashed over the deck of the semi-submerged ship below.
The three survivors said other crew members may have been swept away by waves before the first helicopter arrived, according to a government statement.
Typhoon Chaba formed in the central part of the South China Sea and, on Saturday afternoon, made landfall in Guangdong province in southern China.
Rescuers in Hong Kong were notified of the incident at 7.25am local time and found the ship near Chaba's centre, where harsh weather and nearby wind farms made the operation “more difficult and dangerous”.
Wind speeds of 144 kilometres an hour and 10-metres high waves were reported around the ship's location authorities said.
The Government Flying Service sent two sorties of fixed-wing aircraft and four helicopter sorties, with mainland Chinese authorities sending a rescue ship.
Rescuers said they would increase the search area “due to the large number of people missing” and extend the operation into the night if conditions allowed.
Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
