A Chinese boat carrying 15 crew members has been missing in the South China Sea since July, officials said today in Shandong province, where it was registered.
The confirmation of the missing boat came after a report on local TV station Qilu, claiming widespread concern on social media, was aired.
The Rongcheng city government did not say why it had not revealed the incident until three months after the fact, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.
Owner of the boat told the police that he lost contact with his boat on July 9, according to a Rongcheng government's report.
The boat embarked on its voyage on February 26.
Fishery regulator and marine police are still investigating the boat's whereabouts, the report said.
