Chinese envoy asks Australia to increase search for 39 aboard capsized fishing boat in Indian Ocean

China's Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian speaks to media at the Embassy of China in Canberra, on May 18, 2023. - AP

CANBERRA, Australia (AP): A Chinese envoy asked Australian authorities Thursday (May 18) to increase efforts to find survivors in an Indian Ocean search for 39 crew members missing from a capsized Chinese fishing boat.

Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said the Australian authority had already sent four airplanes and three ships to the search area, which is in the centre of the Indian Ocean.