Myanmar ship sinks near Pangasinan

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A Myanmar ship heading for China sank at sea near Bolinao in the province of Pangasinan, leaving a Malaysian crew dead and 14 others missing, the Philippine Coast Guard said today.

"Initial reports said that it encountered engine trouble and experienced rolling and eventually sank," Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesman Armand Balilo said.

PCG got the information of the accident from a Chinese vessel, which rescued nine crew members of the ill-fated ship, MV Arita Bauxite. Of the nine, two were injured while the rest were in " good condition", Balilo said.  

Balilo said the Chinese ship also reported that 14 other crew members of the Myanmar vessel are missing.

He could not know exactly when the incident occurred, surmising it could have occurred Saturday night or earlier Sunday.

Chito Castro, director of the Office of Civil Defense in Ilocos region, is still coordinating with the PCG for the other circumstances of the mishap.

Castro said the victims were airlifted Sunday to PCG facility in San Fernando City in La Union. Medical teams from the Department of Health are on standby to provide prompt medical care to the victims.