14 illegal mainland immigrants missing after speedboat capsizes off Macau

A speedboat carrying one skipper, three other crew and 16 passengers capsized about 100 meters off the coast of Macau early this morning.

The vessel, allegedly used to transport illegal immigrants from Chinese mainland, overturned off the Grand Coloane Resort on Estrada De Hac Sa Coloane at 5:50am, before dawn. Three men and two women were rescued, one of whom was hospitalized while the other three are currently being held by police; another 14 passengers to believed to still be missing.

All of the rescued passengers originate from Chinese mainland and one was found in possession of falsified documentation.

Macanese and mainland marine authorities have pulled the boat ashore and dispatched a total of 17 vessels to recover the lost passengers, but their efforts have been hampered by powerful gale force 7 winds battering the area.

[Image via Nanzao]