5 Chinese seamen dead after Panamanian ship sinks in typhoon-hit Tokyo Bay

Five Chinese crew members died, one missing and another rescued after a Panama registered cargo ship sank late Saturday in Tokyo Bay, where it was anchored as Typhoon Hagibis approached, the Chinese embassy in Japan confirmed to Xinhua on Monday.

Men look at fishing boats as surging waves hit against the breakwater while Typhoon Hagibis approaches at a port in town of Kiho, Mie Prefecture, Japan, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. [Photo: AP/Toru Hanai]

The embassy is in close contact with Japan Coast Guard, urging them to step up its search for the missing, according to an official at the embassy.

The Panamanian 1,925-ton ship "Jia De" anchored off the coast of Kawasaki city, south of Tokyo, as Typhoon Hagibis approached. The ship's tracking signal was lost around 9:40 p.m. (1240 GMT) on Saturday, the coast guard said.

Among the 12 crew members on board, there were seven Chinese, three Myanmar citizens, and two Vietnamese, according to the coast guard. As of Monday, four of the them were rescued, five died and three others remain missing.

The ship was discovered undersea on Sunday morning. The coast guard is continuing the search and rescue operation on Monday by sending patrol boats and helicopters.