Fifteen people are still missing after a boat suspected of carrying illegal migrants from mainland China capsized off the coast of Macau.
The incident happened around 4:50am today (February 27) near the Westin Hotel on Coloane Island. Police arriving at the scene found three survivors that had made it to shore, and rescued a fourth from the water who was sent to hospital for medical treatment. The survivors say the boat was carrying 19 people, three of whom were employed with the smugglers.
The Macao Customs Authority says the boat was used by smugglers to get mainland Chinese citizens into Macau illegally.
Category six to seven winds are hampering rescue efforts, and may have been a factor in the sinking. Police say no bodies have been recovered so far.