17 rescued after South Korean ship sinks off Batanes

MANILA, Philippines - A passing Chinese vessel rescued the 17 crewmen of a Korean ship earlier reported missing in the waters of Batanes, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said yesterday. 

PCG Northeastern Luzon district commander Capt. Joselito dela Cruz said the PCG Action Center said the crewmen of M/V Han Splendor were saved by the M/V Jin Fu last Sunday at 1:35 a.m. 

M/V Jin Fu is said to be on its way to meet with a Korean Coast Guard vessel to turnover the 17 Korean ship crewmen, consisting of 11 Myanmar nationals and six Koreans. 

Dela Cruz said the 17 crewmen abandoned their cargo ship before it sank some 165 nautical miles east off Batan Island. 

The ship just came from the Port of Yoesu in Korea and was headed to the Port of Bacolod. 

Dela Cruz said there was no report of an oil spill as a result of the sinking of the Korean cargo ship.