Horrific tragedy on COSCO bulker – of 21 crew 12 died, 9 in hospital, ship’s unmanned

Horrific tragedy on COSCO bulker – of 21 crew 12 died, 9 in hospital, ship’s unmanned
Sep 30, 2022 https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2022/39685/horrific-tragedy-cosco...

A horrific tragedy befell the 21 all-Chinese crew of COSCO bulk carrier WU ZHOU 8 in Gulf of Thailand on Sep 30. In the afternoon MRCC Vung Tau and Vietnamese Maritime Authorities were alerted by distress call from the ship, reporting mass crew poisoning. 10 people died, the ship was some 130 NM southeast of Vung Tau, waiting for urgent medical assistance – well, any assistance. Vietnamese SAR ship approached bulk carrier and took on board 11 crew still alive, they’ve been transferred to hospital in Con Dao islands, of whom 2 died, 1 while on the way and 1 in hospital, the remaining 9 are treated in hospital for food poisoning, their condition understood to be stable. Bulk carrier is en route from Koh Si Chang Ancgorahe, Thailand, to China, her status as of 1940 LT (UTC +7) unknown, she’s at best, anchored. Ship’s position unknown, AIS is off.