China, Iran work together on shipwreck search

China has assisted 12 Iranian rescue workers to arrive at Shanghai and arranged them to participate in search work, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

Two vessels collided off China's east coast Saturday evening and 32 sailors, 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis, are still missing.

The Chinese rescuers have approached the stricken tanker many times, risking their lives to fight the fire at close range, spokesperson Lu Kang told a regular news briefing. 

China has coordinated with rescue teams from Japan and the Republic of Korea, Lu said.

"China and Iran are in smooth and effective communication on search and rescue," the spokesperson said.