TAIPEI: A Thailand-registered freighter capsized yesterday off Mailaio, Yunlin County on the west coast of Taiwan, leaving one man dead and eight missing, the "National Rescue Command Center" reported.

Ten people were rescued by teams from the "National Airborne Service Corps", the Air Force and the Coast Guard Administration, according to the report.

A helicopter from the airborne service corps arrived on the scene at 8:40 am, to find a capsized life boat, a massive oil slick, and floating timber.

When the helicopter got there, one crew member had already died.

The rescue team pulled five survivors from the water and flew them to an air base in Taichung City. They were then rushed to the Taichung Veterans General Hospital.

According to the survivors, who are from Thailand and India, the capsized vessel has 19 crew members.

The other rescue teams that later rushed to the area managed to save five other crew members on the ship, which has now reportedly sunk.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 01/27/2010 page2)