Chinese fishing vessel rescues 3 PNG citizens-Xinhua - 新华网

MELBOURNE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese fishing vessel has successfully rescued three Papua New Guineans on the high seas near the Marshall Islands, the Chinese Embassy in Papua New Guinea told Xinhua on Friday.

Chinese fishing vessel Hua Nan Yu 702 found a disabled PNG boat on Tuesday in waters near the Marshall Islands, an embassy spokesperson told Xinhua.

The boat carried three PNG citizens from Namatanai, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, who had been drifting at sea since Oct. 29. The Chinese fishing vessel rescued them and provided them with necessary food and shelter.

After rescuing the three PNG citizens, the Chinese fishing vessel immediately suspended its scheduled operations and transported them to the nearest port in the Marshall Islands.

On Thursday, the fishing vessel arrived at the port of Majuro in the Marshall Islands and handed over the rescued Papua New Guineans and their boat to officials from the PNG government in the presence of Marshall Islands officials.

The PNG officials expressed gratitude to the Chinese vessel for rescuing the three people.

The three were then taken to a hospital for health checks. ■