A cargo ship carrying 5800 livestock sank in Japan waters. The ship had a crew of 43 members, including 39 Filipinos, 2 New Zealanders and 2 Australians. There are currently 2 Filipino survivors rescued by the Japan Coast Guard. But search and rescue operations are currently halted due to a typhoon approaching the country.
Also Read: When Disaster Strikes: How to Apply for SSS or Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan
Last Wednesday – September 2, 2020, the Japan Coast Guard received a distress signal from a Panamanian-registered freighter carrying 43 crew and about 5,800 cows. The livestock cargo came from New Zealand and was on its way was on its way to the Chinese port of Tangshan when it issued a distress signal about 185 kilometers west of Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture.
Here’s a report from GMA News about vessel:
43 Crew-member Cargo Vessel Gulf Livestock 1 Sinks in Japan, 2 Filipino Survivors Found
According to reports from Philippine News Agency, the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo confirmed that there were 39 Filipinos onboard the cargo ship that went missing.
There were 2 Filipino survivors that were rescued. The first Pinoy rescued iss the chief officer of the ship named Eduardo Sareno. The second survivor was Jay-Nel Rosales, and he was rescued alone in a life raft.
A body which is believed to belong to another Filipino crew was found face down on the ocean on Friday morning. However, authorities have difficulty identifying the identity because of the condition of the remains.
Below is a video from Rappler about the first survivor rescued:
Below is a video from Manila Bulletin regarding the rescue of the 2nd Pinoy survivor:
DOLE Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III assured that the government is ready to provide all necessary assistance to the survivors and the families of the missing Filipino crew members of the ill-fated cargo ship that sank off the coast of Japan last week.
“The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka, and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office continue to monitor and coordinate the situation with the Japanese Coast Guard, shipowner, and the manning agency to extend all appropriate support for the Filipino seafarers and their families,” the DFA said.
Images: Japan Coast Guard