Monday, August 16, 2004
19 Filipinos rescued by Vietnamese ship (2: 15 pm)
HANOI -- Nineteen Filipino fishermen were rescued by a Vietnamese cargo ship following a four-day ordeal at sea that left two men dead, officials said Monday.
Their vessel, the Lucky Three, sunk in rough seas on August 8 and the crew were left clinging to debris as they drifted helplessly in the South China Sea.
Two of the 21-member crew died of cold and hunger.
The remaining 19 fishermen were spotted on August 11 by a vessel travelling from the Philippines. It picked them up and took them to Vietnam's central port city of Quy Nhon where they were given medical treatment.
Fourteen crew members were formally handed over Monday in Quy Nhon to Philippine embassy officials, said Bui Quoc Hong, deputy head of the People's Committee Office of Binh Dinh province.
Five others remained in hospital and were expected to be discharged in the coming days, he added. AFP
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