Two bodies found in search for missing Jersey fishermen, including Filipinos

LONDON, United Kingdom — Jersey police said Tuesday that two bodies had been found in the search for three fishermen missing since their boat collided with a cargo ship.

The bodies were found near the fishing boat, the Ecume II, which sank early Thursday morning after the collision with the Commodore Goodwill off Jersey.

The States of Jersey Police said they were continuing the search and rescue operation while weather permitted.

The trawler sank in around 40 metres of water with skipper Michael Michieli and two crew members from the Philippines, Larry Simyunn and Jervis Baligat, aboard.

Jersey's coastguard on Friday abandoned the search saying the water was too deep for divers to work without specialist equipment.

A remotely operated underwater vessel later took up the search.

In a tragic week for the self-governing British Crown dependency off northern France, seven people were killed in a suspected gas explosion in the capital, St Helier.