Chinese envoy asks Australia to increase search for 39 aboard capsized fishing boat in Indian Ocean

By ROD McGUIRK
Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A Chinese envoy has asked Australian authorities to increase efforts to find survivors of a capsizing in the Indian Ocean. There were 39 crew members on board the Chinese fishing boat when it capsized Tuesday in the middle of the ocean. No survivors or life rafts have been spotted so far. Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian told reporters Thursday that China wants to coordinate with “friendly countries,” including Australia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, on the search and rescue effort. China’s president and prime minister both ordered Chinese diplomats and bureaucrats to assist in the search for survivors. Australian authorities say the upturned hull was spotted 3,100 miles northwest of the Australian west coast city of Perth.