An industrial support ship in the South China Sea has sunk in a storm with the possible loss of more than two dozen crew members, rescue services in Hong Kong said.
At least three people from the crew of 30 were brought to safety by the authorities as of 5.30 pm local time, with planes and helicopters dispatched to aid in the rescue. Photos released by the Hong Kong Government Flying Service showed a crew member being lifted into a rescue helicopter as big waves lashed the sinking vessel, which had broken up in two parts.
The accident happened about 300 km 186 miles south of Hong Kong.
The name or origin of the vessel was not known by the Flying Service. It said in a statement that crew members were negotiating difficulties brought on by severe tropical storm Chaba, with maximum winds of 110 km h 68 mph. The storm made landfall in the western part of the coastal province of Guangdong later on Saturday. Two fixed-wing aircraft and four helicopters were sent by the Hong Kong service for the rescue effort.