Chinese sailor falling in Panama Canal found dead

PANAMA - After two days of search and rescue, the body of a Chinese crewmember who accidently fell overboard into Panama Canal from a Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship was recovered on Saturday.

The crewmember from vessel "Joyous Society" slipped and fell overboard near the Pedro Miguel Locks of Panama Canal on Thursday.

Huo Honghai, an official with the Commercial Development Office China-Panama said that they had been in connect with the local authorities since the accident happened and closely followed the rescue work.

Rescue and medical workers had started their work immediately, and the rescue work did not impact the Canal's operation, the authorities of Panama Canal said.

COSCO Panama, the subsidiary company of China Ocean Shipping Corporation Americas, Inc, is helping to deal with the aftermath settlement.