Hopes fade for eight fishermen missing after Vietnam typhoon

HANOI (AFP) Jun 28, 2004
Rescuers were still searching Monday for eight fishermen missing since their boat disappeared this month in a typhoon off Vietnam, but chances of finding the men alive were slim, officials said.

The off-shore fishing vessel was last in contact on June 11 when another boat received their emergency signal, said Le Chi Trong, deputy head of department for flood and storm control in central Phu Yen province.

"Search operations started last Wednesday after families of the missing fishermen reported the accident. We are continuing our search but the hope of finding them alive is frail," Trong added.

Their boat is designed to go to sea for long periods at a time so families did not express concern until a few days ago.

Another official from the department who requested anonymity told AFP that the search would soon be called off.

Typhoon Chanthu hit central Vietnam earlier this month, killing 12 people and leaving another 26 missing.

TERRA.WIRE