Ship sinks in Japan: EAM says search operations continue for 10 missing Indians, Indian Navy P81 joins

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday informed about the rescue operations of missing crew members of ship Emerald Star which sank in Japan. There were 26 Indians on board the ship. So far, 16 have been rescued and 10 are still missing.

To rescue the missing Indians, Indian Navy P81 has reached Manila and joined the search and rescue operation.

"Indian Embassy in Japan has informed me that a helicopter and 2 patrol vessels of Japan Coast Guard are engaged in search and rescue operations. Indian Navy P81 has reached Manila and has also joined the search and rescue operation for missing Indians," said Sushma Swaraj.

Earlier on Friday, a cargo ship sank on Friday some 600 km south of Ishigaki island of Okinawa prefecture in Japan.

"At least 10 Indian crew members were missing after their cargo ship sank on Friday some 600 km south of Ishigaki island of Okinawa prefecture, southwestern Japan," the Chinese Consulate-General said.

Sixteen of the 26 Indian crew aboard the Hong Kong-registered vessel had been rescued, while 10 others were still missing, said the Consulate-General, quoting information from the Japanese side, Xinhua news agency reported.