DILI, 02 march 2022 (TATOLI) – A fishing vessel capsized at the South Korean Sea in an accident, drowning at least three Timorese fishermen of which one was in a serious condition.
The three Timorese fishermen are among 3000 Timorese workers who are currently working in South Korea.
The three fishermen were drowned after the fishing boat 99-1 (36340) capsized at around 5 am at the sea of Pohang City, one of the major industrial cities in South Korea,
Among the three fishermen, Marcos Mateus Lopes from Ermera municipality saved himself by jumping into another fishing vessel sailed by the boss and the Timorese fisherman Cosme Freitas from Manufahi municipality. However, Armando Abel do Santos from Bobonaro municipality was drowned and was under intensive treatment at a South Korean hospital.
Cosme Freitas revealed that at around 5 am South Korean local time they were heading back to the sea after selling the fishes: “There were six of us in the fishing vessel, including one Indonesian, our boss, the captain, and three of us.”
“We were split into two groups, our boss and I were in a fishing boat, and two of my Timorese friends together with the Indonesian man and the captain were in another boat. So, when the boat capsized and sank, the Timorese fisher from Ermera, Marcos Mateus Lopes saved himself by jumping into our boat, while Abel dos Santos, including the Indonesian guy and the captain were drowning,” Freitas told TATOLI, via mobile phone on wednesday.
Abel dos Santos and the two other fishermen were saved at around 8 am after three hours of drowning at the sea.
“The three fishermen were covered with the fishing net, making it difficult for them to escape,” he said.
“After knowing that it was difficult to rescue them, the boss went to seek the police support, and finally we rescued them. They are currently in serious condition, including Abel dos Santos who is under intensive treatment at a South Korean hospital.
Journalist: Arminda Fonseca
Editor: Julia Chatarina/Rafy Belo
Translation: Filomeno Martins
