Missing Passenger Sparks Search Efforts Off the Coast of Taiwan

Aboard the "Penghu" Ferry, a man is missing, prompting an extensive search operation in waters near Taiwan's Penghu Islands.

A search and rescue operation is underway off the coast of Taiwan after a passenger was reported missing from the "Penghu" ferry on July 17th. The incident was discovered upon the ferry's arrival at Magong Port. During a headcount, a discrepancy was noted, and a backpack was found at a passenger's seat.

Inside the backpack were the identification card and ferry ticket of a man believed to be approximately 60 years old. Review of the ferry's surveillance footage revealed the man pacing on the recreational deck around 4:20 a.m. before disappearing from the camera's view, leading authorities to suspect he fell overboard during the voyage.

The Coast Guard Administration's Penghu Coast Guard team was notified at 2 p.m. and immediately dispatched vessels to search the waters approximately 10 nautical miles from Magong Port. As of the latest reports, the man has not yet been found. The search continues, focusing on the area where the man was last seen.