Chaos on the Wen Peng: A Knife‑Wielding Fight Leaves One Dead
Picture a quiet fishing trip in the Indian Ocean that suddenly turns into a gripping thriller. That’s exactly what happened aboard the Taiwanese ship Wen Peng on Wednesday, leaving one crew member dead and another severely wounded.
The Brawl Unfolds
- • One Filipino sailor was killed; another was left critically injured.
- • The struggle began in the early hours, with metal bars thrown as weapons.
- • A worker aboard the ship used a metal bar to keep rescuers at bay.
Rescue in the Rough Waters
The coastguard scrambled to launch a rescue mission, but the trapped crew’s situation was dire. Less than 1,500 nautical miles from Mauritius, a nearby Taiwanese vessel managed to pull four sailors from the waves. Unfortunately, the Wen Peng’s crew were largely thrown off the deck during the chaos.
According to the coastguard, trapped in the water were at least 10 people, but the exact number remains uncertain.
Safety Inside the Bridge
With the captain and chief engineer taking refuge inside the ship’s bridge, the crew members’ leaders are believed to be safe. Both the captain and chief engineer are Taiwanese, and a Taiwanese government official was also on board.
What’s the Bigger Picture?
While Taiwan boasts one of the world’s biggest tuna fleets, it has a reputation for troubling treatment of migrant workers. Greenpeace’s 2016 report painted a grim picture of rampant labor and human rights abuses in the fishing industry.
- • The industry employs around 160,000 migrant workers, mainly from the Philippines and Indonesia.
- • Many of these workers face harsh working conditions and limited rights.
The Rescue Effort Wide Open
After the “Hong Fu 88” arrived at the scene, officials urged nearby vessels for assistance. Unfortunately, it could take up to 13 days for a dedicated rescue ship to reach the Wen Peng.
In the meantime, the Taiwanese Fishing Association is coordinating efforts to locate the remaining crew members still adrift.
For now, we’re watching, hoping for safe returns and a reassessment of safety standards that may keep future fights off deck.
