CAPE TOWN, July 19 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday urged rescuers not to abandon their search for eight fishermen who went missing when their fishing boat capsized last weekend.
Zuma made the appeal after a search and recovery operation by emergency services continued till late Tuesday, with none of the crew members being found at the close of the day.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this very dark and anxious hour. We would like to assure them that our emergency services teams will not rest until they find the missing members of their families," Zuma said.
The fishing vessel Maredon, which carried 16 crew members, capsized along the Cape St Francis coastline in the Eastern Cape on Sunday.
Eight of the crew are still missing, while one has been confirmed dead and seven rescued.
"I wish the hospitalized fishers strength and a speedy recovery," Zuma said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries issued a statement, saying it was supportive of all the rescue operations to locate the missing fishermen.
