Taiwan Fishing Boat Ablaze Near Disputed Islets: Search Underway for Missing Crew Member

International Cooperation in Search and Rescue Efforts Following Fire on "Fu Yang No. 266"

Taipei, April 30 - A Keelung-registered fishing vessel, "Fu Yang No. 266," caught fire early Wednesday morning in waters near the disputed Diaoyutai Islets. Seven crew members have been rescued by nearby boats, but one Indonesian national remains missing, according to the Coast Guard Administration (CGA).

The CGA's Fleet Branch reported receiving a distress call around 1 a.m. The fire occurred approximately 157 nautical miles northeast of the Diaoyutai Islets, a territory claimed by Taiwan as an "inherent" part of the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name), but currently administered by Japan.

According to a news release, two nearby fishing vessels rescued seven of the eight crew members on board. Only one crew member is Taiwanese; the others are foreign migrant workers. One Indonesian crew member is still unaccounted for.

Responding to the emergency, the CGA dispatched its offshore patrol vessel "Bali," already patrolling the Taiwan-Japan waters. The CGA initiated search and rescue operations.

Given that the fire's location falls within Japan's search and rescue responsibility zone, the CGA notified Taiwan's National Rescue Command Center. This resulted in coordination with the Japanese side for assistance.

The "Bali" reached the search area around 11 a.m. and deployed a small boat to board one of the rescue vessels. CGA personnel assessed the situation and discovered that two rescued Indonesian crew members sustained burns and blisters, though they were not in critical condition. The seven rescued crew members were transferred to the "Bali" for temporary shelter.

Joint search operations are continuing for the missing Indonesian crew member. The "Bali" is working in collaboration with Japanese authorities.

Once another CGA patrol vessel, the "Taoyuan," arrives to assist, the "Bali" will transport the rescued crew members back to Taiwan.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the blaze originated in the vessel's engine room.