The Ministry of National Defense expressed today (11th) that, regarding the capsize accident of the Taiwanese fishing boat “Jin-Rui-Yi 88” north of Shimen earlier, only 1 Chinese worker out of the 8-man crew, including the captain, was rescued by other boats while the remaining 7 crew members were still missing.

The Ministry of National Defense indicated that, the military would be deploying 2 S-70C helicopters, 7 military personnel from the 3rd Operation Team of the Navy Underwater Operation Unit, and 1 vehicle to assist in the rescue operations. The deployed units arrived on scene at 0829 hours and conducted an evaluation together with the Coast Guard. As the weather conditions have yet to reach safe standards, the deployed units remained on standby for the rescue operation. At 1006 hours, the Underwater Operation Unit and Coast Guard personnel began the operations to cut up the boat. At 1051 hours, a worker of Chinese nationality was found and rescued (conscious and transferred for medical treatment). At 1417, a body (Taiwanese) was found while 5 others remained missing.

The Ministry of National Defense further indicated that, as of December 10, the military has deployed a total of 5 helicopters, 14 Navy Underwater Operation Unit personnel, and 2 vehicles to support the rescue operations.

The Ministry of National Defense stressed that, regarding the capsize accident of the fishing boat “Jin-Rui-Yi 88”, the military will support the Comprehensive Rescue Plan of the National Rescue Command Center and continue to deploy 2 S-70C helicopters to assist in the rescue in the hopes of completing the rescue mission within the Golden Hour.