14 fishermen rescued, 2 dead, 58 missing after typhoon

Wounded fishermen are transferred to Sanya, South China's Hainan province, for treatment, Sept 30, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

HAIKOU - Rescuers Tuesday found 14 fishermen alive, retrieved two bodies and are continuing search for 58 others missing in the South China Sea after three fishing boats have sunk since Sunday afternoon due to Typhoon Wutip.

A total of 88 fishermen and their boats, all from South China's Guangdong province, went missing near Shanhu Island of the Xisha Islands, about 330 km from China's island province of Hainan.

Fourteen survivors were rescued Monday.

Zhang Jie, a spokesman with the Hainan Maritime Affairs Bureau, said 22 vessels and four airplanes are still combing the sea area for more survivors.