DFA: 1 Filipino rescued, 38 others missing off southwestern Japan

One Filipino was rescued while 38 other crewmen from the Philippines remain missing off southwestern Japan after their vessel sent a distress call Wednesday following a storm, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

The missing vessel, en route to Port of Jingtang in Tangshan, China, was  carrying 43 crew members, 39 of whom were Filipinos. Reports said there were also crew members from New Zealand and Australia.

"So far, one Filipino was reported to have been rescued by the Japanese Coast Guard," the DFA said.

The Consulate General in Osaka is monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Japanese Coast Guard, which is launching a second search and rescue mission prior to the expected incoming typhoon," it added.

The Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel made a distress call on Sept. 2 from Amami Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture.

Philippine diplomats in Osaka are in close coordination with Korpil Ship Management and Manning Corp., the local manning agency, in ascertaining the condition of the Filipino seafarers, the DFA said. -RSJ, GMA News