Taiwanese fishing boat with 49 crew members missing off Argentina; search underway

TAIPEI, Taiwan — A search is underway for a Taiwanese fishing boat that went missing late last month off southeastern Argentina with 49 crew members, Taiwan’s official news agency said Saturday.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry is helping in the search for the boat, which was reported missing on Feb. 26, the Central News Agency reported.

The boat was carrying two Taiwanese, 11 Chinese, 13 Filipino, 21 Indonesian and two Vietnamese crew members, CNA said, citing the foreign ministry.

The ministry immediately asked its representative office in Argentina to seek help from Argentina’s navy to look for the boat, according to the report. Taiwan has also contacted British authorities and the European Union’s naval force for help.