1 dead, 14 missing in ship sinking off Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Philippine Coast Guard officials say a China-bound ship from Myanmar carrying 24 crewmen and a cargo of coal has sunk off the country's north-west, leaving one dead and 14 missing.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Armand Balilo said nine crewmen, including two who were injured, were rescued aboard two lifeboats by a passing Chinese ship after the M/V Harita Bauxite sank late on Saturday off Pangasinan province.

The Chinese ship notified the Philippine authorities about the sinking of the vessel, whose entire crew was from Myanmar.

Coast Guard officer Joseph Paul Solomon said on Sunday that coast guard vessels and helicopters immediately launched a search for the missing crewmen.