Two Chinese fishermen were rescued while two others were found dead from a life raft that was found drifting off the waters of Rizal, Palawan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Saturday, Aug. 7.

In an incident report, fisherman Mario Mabuhay first sighted and towed the life raft of the four Chinese fishermen off Barangay Canipaan, Rizal, Palawan on Thursday, Aug. 5. He then informed the Coast Guard about it.

Upon receiving the information, the PCG Station Brooke’s Point deployed a rescue team to transport the rescued Chinese fishermen to the nearest hospital for further medical assistance.

The PCG, citing the initial inquiry from the two survivors identified as Fu Wanke and Lu Yunian, said the Chinese fishermen departed Hainan, China to conduct a fishing venture on board their fishing vessel on July 9.

They, however, encountered rough seas and bad weather condition that prompted them to launch a life raft and abandon their vessel.

The survivors said during the abandon ship, one of the casualties Li Bang Li suffered a serious head injury due to fallen debris from their fishing vessel, which led to his death. Meanwhile, Qin Tong died due to drowning, they said.

The rescued fishermen recalled that during abandon ship another fisherman Fu Wan Sheng attempted to swim towards the life raft, however, failed to reach due to rough seas and was separated from the group.

Personnel of the PCG Substation Rio Tuba and Philippine Marines have continued to monitor the condition of the two Chinese survivors amid the ongoing investigation.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Friday, Aug. 6, expressed its “deep appreciation” to the Filipino fishermen and the Philippine authorities for the rescue of two distressed Chinese fishermen.