Barge capsized in Singapore waters, 8 Chinese missing

SINGAPORE - Eight Chinese nationals were missing one day after a barge capsized in Singapore waters, the Maritime and Port Authority said on Thursday.

Two other crew members were rescued, with one of them reported to have been brought to Malaysia, it said.

The barge Guo Liang 677 capsized in Singapore waters around Wednesday noon at the eastern entrance to the Straits of Singapore.

One of the crew members, who was rescued by a Police Coast Guard patrol craft in the area, said that there were ten people on the barge, instead of the earlier report of eleven.

The Chinese embassy in Singapore confirmed that it received report that eight Chinese nationals were missing after a barge capsized in Singapore waters.

The Maritime and Port Authority said the search and rescue operations involved aircraft, patrol vessels and commercial vessels. Divers were also called to help.

The authority said it was still investigating the capsize.