Dozens of crew are missing off the coast of Hong Kong after an industrial support ship snapped in two and sunk during a fierce tropical storm.
Authorities dispatched planes and helicopters to aid in the rescue on Saturday, with at least three people from the crew of 30 brought to safety as of 5.30pm local time (10am GMT).
Photos released by the Hong Kong Government Flying Service showed one crew member being winched up to a rescue helicopter as big waves lashed the sinking vessels, which had broken up in two parts.
The accident occurred about 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of Hong Kong. The Flying Service did not give the name or origin of the vessel.
It said in a statement that crew members were negotiating difficulties brought on by Severe Tropical Storm Chaba, which was packing maximum winds of 110 kilometers (68 miles) per hour.
The storm made landfall in the western part of the coastal province of Guangdong later Saturday.
The Hong Kong service sent two fixed-wing aircraft and four helicopters to the Fujing 001 vessel.
Chaba is China’s first typhoon of the year in what forecasters have predicted will bring record rainfall and high risks of natural disasters in the likes of the heavily populated Guandong.
