It stated: “Squid and long liner fv HSIANG CHING caught fire on Nov 6 in North Pacific some 250 nm E of Kuril Islands. 48 crew went into 2 life rafts, closest to distressed vessel Chinese fishing vessel came to assist and picked up all people in life rafts.

“Later it was found out that 1 fisherman is missing, search didn’t bring results, he wasn’t found.”