The fire on the doomed Taiwanese fishing boat is believed to have been caused by an explosion in the machine room whilst sailing in the South Atlantic on February 11. The shocking video reveals the extent of the fire as thick smoke engulfs the stricken boat as a nearby crew desperately try to save the lives of those stranded on board. Remarkably, of the 69 members, 64 managed to survive the blaze but five people still remained unaccounted for, Maritime Bureau Director-General Chao Shao-lien has confirmed.
The rescue process was made possible with the contribution of the rescue boat “Island of flowers”, already in Uruguayan waters.
During the rescue mission the owner of the vessel contacted another ship he owned, the Zi Da Ye, and the rescued fishermen were taken to a harbor in Uruguayan capital Montevideo.
Jun Rong Fishery will arrange for each of the workers to be transported back to their own country.
Those on board who survived include 28 Indonesians, 17 Filipinos, 9 Vietnamese, 5 Burmese, 4 Taiwanese and one Chinese, according to Montevideo spokesman Marcelo Etchevers.
Navy personnel found that most of the crew were in good health conditions, except for two who suffered minor burns.
The Taiwan Squid Fishery Association said squid fishing season has just begun and many vessels have recently set sail to begin work.
The squid fishing boat was travelling near the Malvinas Islands which is located 1,900 kilometres from Montevideo, in a British fishing zone.
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs published a statement declaring it is still undertaking a search and rescue mission for the missing five workers, and maintains hope they will be found.
The Philippine embassy in the UK is in close contact with British authorities, who are also offering their assistance.
(Additional reporting by Maria Ortega)