Body of fisherman back to Taiwan

Updated: 2013-05-11 11:19

(Xinhua)

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PINGTUNG, Taiwan - The body of a Taiwan fisherman, killed in a shooting incident by Philippine coast guard on the sea, was taken back to Taiwan early Saturday morning.

The body was taken home with the fishing vessel Guang Ta Hsin 28, which was fired upon by Philippine coast guard on Thursday morning in a sea area 160 nautical miles southeast of the southernmost tip of the island of Taiwan.

The 65-year-old victim, Hung Shih-Cheng, was one of four crew members onboard. The rest of the crew survived the shooting uninjured.

The vessel was towed back to a fishing port of Pingtung county at around 3:15 am Saturday, as the shooting damaged its oil tank.

At least ten bullet holes were seen all over the vessel body and one bullet penetrated the victim's neck, which could be the cause of his death, said local investigators who were on board shortly after the vessel arrived.

The body of the victim will be sent to Kaohsiung for forensic autopsy, local investigators said.

Philippine coast guard Friday admitted killing the Taiwan fisherman but said its personnel opened fire on the fishing boat in self-defense.

Taiwan's leader Ma Ying-jeou on Friday condemned the Philippines over the shooting and demanded an apology from the Philippine government for the shooting, the arrest of the shooter and compensation for the victim's family.

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