Vessel capsizes in South China Sea, 27 fishermen missing

Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday that at least 27 fishermen were missing when a vessel sank in the South China Sea.

Maritime rescue authorities said that the Vietnam-registered Phut Tan capsized due to strong gales.

A spokesman of a South China Sea Salvage Bureau said the sea mishap happened about 110 nautical miles to the west of Sanya City in the southern island province of Hainan.

A towboat and a rescue vessel were deployed to the site of the sinking.