China's cargo ship sinks off Philippine coast

Reuters reported a Chinese cargo ship that sank off the coast of the Philippines carrying 24 Chinese passengers and crew members on Saturday.

Ten crew members were missing according to Xinhua news agency.

MV Hong Wei, a Panama-registered ship, went down on Friday 222 km off Itbayat island in northern Philippines, according to the Philippine National Police, said the Chinese state media.

A Taiwanese coast guard vessel and another passing ship rescued 12 crew and two passengers but ten crew members remained missing.

The reason for sinking is still unknown.

In a radio report, the coast guard forces of China, Japan, and the Philippines have joined forces in search-and-rescue operations for the missing crew members.

It will be recalled that another Panama-registered ship, Nasco Diamond, with 25 Chinese crew members sank off the coast of Japan.

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