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Wikinews interviews Aurélien Miralles about Sirenoscincus mobydick species discovery

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:42:03 GMT

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Aurélien Miralles with a Many-scaled Cylindrical Skink in Morocco in July 2012.
Image: Mr Philippe Geniez.

The Sirenoscincus mobydick.
Image: Aurélien Miralles.

Sirenoscincus yamagishii, another species in the same genus.
Image: Mr Falk Eckhard.

Sirenoscincus yamagishii (edited photo).
Image: Mr Falk Eckhard.

The Sirenoscincus mobydick, dead specimen on a leaf.
Image: Mrs Andolalao Rakotoarison.

A group of researchers published a paper about their discovery of a new species of Madagascar mermaid skink lizards last December. The species is the fourth forelimbs-only terrestrial tetrapods species known to science, and the first one which also has no fingers on the forelimbs.

The species was collected at Marosely, Boriziny (French: Port-Bergé), Sofia Region, Madagascar. The Sirenoscincus mobydick name is after the existing parent genus, and a sperm whale from the 1851 novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville.

This week, Wikinews interviewed one of the researchers, French zoologist Aurélien Miralles, about the research.

Wikinews What caused your initial interest in Madagascar lizards?

Aurélien Miralles: Well, I would say that since I am a child I am fascinated by the biodiversity of tropical countries, and more especially by reptiles. I did a PhD on the evolution and systematics of skink lizards from South America. Then, I get a Humboldt grant to do a postdoc in Germany, at the Miguel Vences Lab, in order to study Malagasy skinks. Madagascar being a fabulous hotspot for reptiles (and not only for reptiles actually), it was a very nice opportunity. Professor Vences proposed me to associate our complementary fields of expertise: he is expert in herpetology for Madagascar, and I am expert in skinks lizards (family Scincidae). It was a very fruitful experience, and many other results have still to [be] published.

Approximate location of the species discovery.
Image: OpenStreetMap.

WN How was the new species discovered?

AM: By a very funny coincidence actually. In 2010, I went to Madagascar for a long trip through the south of the island, in the semi-arid bush for collecting lizards and snakes samples. Then, during the last days, just before coming back to Germany, I have visited by coincidence the zoological collection of the University of Antananarivo. In that place, I found an old jar of ethanol with two weird little specimens previously collected by a student who didn't realize it was something new. Being expert on skinks, I immediately recognised it was something very probably new, very different from all the other known species.

WN What does "Sirenoscincus" stand for?

AM: I am not the author of the genus name Sirenoscincus. This genus name was already existing. It has been described by Sakata and Hikida (two Japanese herpetologists). "Sireno" means mermaid. "Scincus" means skinks, a group of little lizards on which I am particularly focusing my studies. So, Sirenoscinus means "mermaid skink", in reference to [the] fact it has forelimbs but no hindlimbs.

Illustration from an early edition of Moby-Dick.
Image: A. Burnham Shute.

WN How deep underground do the lizards live?

AM: Hard to answer this question because nothing is known on the ecology of this species. But more reasonably, we can hypothesize, by comparison to similar species of skinks, that it is probably living just under the sand surface, [a] few centimeters deep, probably no more, or below [a] rock, leaf litter, or piece of dead wood.

WN What do the lizards eat?

AM: Again, by analogy, I would say most likely small invertebrates (insects, larvae, worms etc...).

WN What equipment was used during the research?

AM: Classic equipment (microscope) and also a state-of-the-art device: a micro CT-scan. It is a big device producing [a] 3D picture of the internal structure without damaging the specimen. It is actually very similar to the scanner used in human medicine, but this one is specially designed for small specimens. Otherwise, I am currently studying the DNA of this species and closely related species in order to determine its phylogenetic position compared to other species with legs, in order to learn more about the evolutionary phenomena leading to limb loss.

WN There are several news sources that have a photo of the species. Is it a photo as seen in a CT-scan?

AM: No, this picture showing a whitish specimen on a black background is not a CT-scan. It is a normal photograph of the collection specimen preserved in alcohol (the one that was in the jar). You can see the complete of picture (including CT-scan 3D radiography, drawing...) in the original scientific publication.

WN Do you know when the newly discovered mermaid skink species was put into the jar? Do you have its photo (of the jar)?

AM: No, I have no picture of the jar. The specimen has been collected in November 2004.

WN What were the roles of the people involved in the research? What activity was most time-consuming?

Miguel Vences in the field in Madagascar, in 2006.
Image: Miguel Vences.

AM: As first investigator, I did most of the work...and the longest part of the work was to examine closely related species in order to do comparisons...and also to check the complete bibliography related to this topic and to write the paper.

Mrs Anjeriniaina is the student who [...] collected the specimen a couple of years ago.

Mrs Hipsley and Mr Müller learnt me how to use the CT-scan, and helped me concerning some point relative to internal morphology. Mr Vences helped me as supervisors. Additionally, all of them have corrected the article, and gave me many relevant advices and corrections, thus improving the quality and the reliability of the paper.

A picture from the field area where Sirenoscincus mobydick has been collected.
Image: Mrs Andolalao Rakotoarison.

WN Did you get in touch with an external entity to get the new species officially recognised?

AM: No. In zoology, it is only needed to publish the description of a new species (and to give it a name) in a scientific journal, and to designate a holotype specimen (= specimen that will be the official reference for this species), to get this new species "officially" recognised by the scientific community. That does not mean that this new species is "correct" (it might be invalidated by subsequent counter-studies), but that means that this discovery and the new name of [the] species are officially existing.

WN Are there any further plans on exploring the species habitat and lifestyle?

AM: No, not really for the time being, because ecology is not our field of expertise. But other studies (including molecular studies) are currently in progress, in order to focus on the phylogenetic position and the evolution of this species.

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Sister links [edit]

Sirenoscincus mobydick

Sirenoscincus mobydick

Sources [edit]

This exclusive interview features first-hand journalism by a Wikinews reporter. See the collaboration page for more details.

This article is a featured article. It is considered one of the best works of the Wikinews community. See Wikinews:Featured articles for more information.

AAP. "New lizard species found" — The Advertiser (Adelaide), January 16, 2013
Aurélien Miralles, Mirana Anjeriniaina, Christy A. Hipsley, Johannes Müller, Frank Glaw and Miguel Vences. "Variations on a bauplan: description of a new Malagasy “mermaid skink” with flipper-like forelimbs only (Scincidae, Sirenoscincus Sakata & Hikida, 2003)" — Zoosystema, December 2012

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At least fourteen dead after eating toxic fish in Madagascar

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 21:57:10 GMT

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Madagascar

Other stories from Madagascar

24 January 2013: Wikinews interviews Aurélien Miralles about Sirenoscincus mobydick species discovery
7 April 2011: At least fourteen dead after eating toxic fish in Madagascar
13 May 2010: Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina 'will not run in polls'
6 March 2010: Somali pirates seize tanker off coast of Madagascar
21 December 2009: Madagascar leader names army officer as prime minister

...More articles here

Location of Madagascar

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Madagascar, see the Madagascar Portal

More than 120 people remain ill from the sardines

At least fourteen people have died after eating toxic sardines in Madagascar. The deaths occurred in the town of Toliara, with another similar situation happening 130 km (80.8 mi) away in Sakaraha. The sardines the victims ate belong to the Clupeidae family. As well as the dead, around 120 people have been taken ill after eating the fish according to officials.

Dr Hery Raharisaina, Madagascar's fishing and aquatic resources minister, offered condolence to the families of the victims on behalf of the government. He added in his statement that the government would pay for the medical bills for those who are still hospitalized from the toxic fish and would also supply 100 mattresses to the city of Toliara, as the region's hospital is overcrowded.

Samples of the sardines have been sent to health officials at the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar in the capital city of Antananarivo. Incidents like this have happened before in which researchers have tracked the cause down to the fish eating poisonous seaweed. Madagascar has the third biggest coral system in the world.

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Sources [edit]

"Fourteen die after eating toxic sardines in Madagascar" — BBC News Online, April 6, 2010
"Toxic sardines kill 20 in Madagascar" — Africa Review, April 6, 2010
"Sardines blamed for 20 Madagascar deaths" — United Press International, April 6, 2010

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Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina 'will not run in polls'

Thu, 13 May 2010 14:33:33 GMT

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Madagascar

Other stories from Madagascar

24 January 2013: Wikinews interviews Aurélien Miralles about Sirenoscincus mobydick species discovery
7 April 2011: At least fourteen dead after eating toxic fish in Madagascar
13 May 2010: Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina 'will not run in polls'
6 March 2010: Somali pirates seize tanker off coast of Madagascar
21 December 2009: Madagascar leader names army officer as prime minister

...More articles here

Location of Madagascar

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Madagascar, see the Madagascar Portal

Andry Rajoelina seized power in 2009

Andry Rajoelina, the leader of Madagascar, announced that he will not run in elections due to be held later this year. He stated his reason as an attempt to end the country’s political crisis. Rajoelina has been pressured to find a solution to the crisis.

At the same time as his announcement not to run as a candidate, he announced the planned dates for both the parliamentary and presidential elections. The parliamentary elections were announced for September, with the presidential election following in November.

Rajoelina announced his decision on television, saying: "I declare in the name of the superior interest of the nation and of the people, my decision not to stand as candidate in the presidential elections for a fourth republic."

During the crisis Rajoelina has come under more pressure. Aid was cut off by donors, and former military allies, who backed him during his coup, began to turn on him. The African Union have also imposed sanctions on the country.

Madagascar was previously ruled by France. French secretary of state for co-operation Alain Joyandet released a statement saying that it "demonstrated a sense of responsibility".

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Sources [edit]

"Madagascar's Andry Rajoelina 'will not run in polls'" — BBC News Online, May 12, 2010
"Rajoelina won't run in Madagascar poll" — Mail & Guardian Online, May 13, 2010

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Somali pirates seize tanker off coast of Madagascar

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:23:54 GMT

Saturday, March 6, 2010

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Somali pirates seized the Norwegian chemical tanker UBT Ocean off the coast of Madagascar yesterday, according to reports.

The Norwegian News Agency reports that the ship, which is Marshall Islands-flagged, has 21 crew members aboard.

Svenn Pedersen of the ship's owner, Broevigtank, said yesterday that "[t]he captain of the ship called us early this morning and told us: We have pirates on board. Very quickly afterwards we lost all contact with the boat." Pedersen commented that the tanker had taken a route to the south of where Somali pirates are usually active.

A spokesman for Nautictank, the ship's operator, commented that "[w]e are doing everything we can to establish contact and our sole concern right now is the safety of our crew. We have no contact whatsoever with the vessel, or the master, or the pirates."

The UBT Ocean was en route to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania from its departure port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.

The waters off the coast of Somalia and the Indian Ocean are patrolled by an internationally operated naval force; however, it has not been able to entirely prevent pirate hijackings. Two days ago, pirates took a Saudi tanker from its position in the Gulf of Aden and sailed it to Garacad, Somalia.

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Sources [edit]

"Somali pirates hijack tanker" — Al Jazeera, March 6, 2010
"Pirates hijack Norwegian tanker off Madagascar" — BBC News Online, March 5, 2010

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Madagascar leader names army officer as prime minister

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:54:23 GMT

Monday, December 21, 2009

Madagascar

Other stories from Madagascar

24 January 2013: Wikinews interviews Aurélien Miralles about Sirenoscincus mobydick species discovery
7 April 2011: At least fourteen dead after eating toxic fish in Madagascar
13 May 2010: Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina 'will not run in polls'
6 March 2010: Somali pirates seize tanker off coast of Madagascar
21 December 2009: Madagascar leader names army officer as prime minister

...More articles here

Location of Madagascar

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Madagascar, see the Madagascar Portal

Andry Rajoelina

Madagascar's leader, Andry Rajoelina, has named a high-ranking army officer as the country's new prime minister, and announced he is abandoning a power-sharing deal with the opposition.

Mr. Rajoelina's office announced Sunday that Colonel Camille Albert Vital would serve as the new prime minister, replacing Eugene Mangalaza, who was supposed to be prime minister under the deal. Previously he had been expected to make Cecile Manorohanta the new prime minister. He also abolished the posts of co-president.

In a nationally broadcast address, Colonel Vital said that organising elections and increasing security were his priorities. He called on the people of Madagascar, including political rivals, to work with his government.

Mr. Rajoelina took power in a coup last March. On Wednesday, he appeared on national television to announce that parliamentary elections would take place March 20 next year. He made no mention of presidential elections.

International mediators have brokered several power-sharing agreements in recent months, but all have been unsuccessful. The African Union and other regional bodies have refused to recognize Mr. Rajoelina's presidency.

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Sources [edit]

This article includes material from Madagascar Leader Names Army Officer As Prime Minister by VOA News, which is in the public domain.

"Madagascar Leader Names Army Officer As Prime Minister" — VOA News, December 20, 2009
"Madagascar leader Rajoelina scraps power-sharing deal" — BBC News Online, December 21, 2009

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Madagascar political rivals agree to unity government deal

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:33:05 GMT

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Madagascar

Other stories from Madagascar

24 January 2013: Wikinews interviews Aurélien Miralles about Sirenoscincus mobydick species discovery
7 April 2011: At least fourteen dead after eating toxic fish in Madagascar
13 May 2010: Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina 'will not run in polls'
6 March 2010: Somali pirates seize tanker off coast of Madagascar
21 December 2009: Madagascar leader names army officer as prime minister

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Andry Rajoelina

Marc Ravalomanana

Four of Madagascar's top political figures signed an agreement on Saturday to form a coalition government, ahead of next year's planned elections.

According to the agreement, Andry Rajoelina, who instigated a coup earlier this year to overthrow ousted president Marc Ravalomanana, will remain the president. He, as well as Ravalomanana and former presidents Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy, signed the agreement on Saturday.

"There will be two co-presidents as well as the president. That has been decided and accepted by leaders of the four movements, and by the president of the transition too," Rajoelina said to reporters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to the United Nations' special envoy to Madagascar, Tiebile Drame, the four are now dividing up ministerial portfolios. "The Madagascan leaders have managed to reach an accord on putting in place a transitional charter," Drame said. "They agreed on the leadership of transitional institutions, including the presidency, and on power sharing in the government and other institutions."

However, it is currently unclear how power would be split between the president and the two co-presidents, also referred to as the "presidential council". Drame said that the government would consist of "a consensual president, two consensual co-presidents, a consensus prime minister and a national unity government."

Rajoelina, aged 35, overthrew former president Ravalomanana on March 17 this year, with the support of the army. Ravalomanana is now in exile in South Africa. However, Rajoelina's government has not received much recognition from the international community.

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Sources [edit]

"Madagascar leaders sign power-sharing agreement" — Agence France-Presse, November 6, 2009
"Madagascar rivals agree power-sharing deal" — Washington Post, November 6, 2009

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Madagascar's former opposition leader sworn in as president

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 11:40:40 GMT

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Madagascar

Other stories from Madagascar

24 January 2013: Wikinews interviews Aurélien Miralles about Sirenoscincus mobydick species discovery
7 April 2011: At least fourteen dead after eating toxic fish in Madagascar
13 May 2010: Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina 'will not run in polls'
6 March 2010: Somali pirates seize tanker off coast of Madagascar
21 December 2009: Madagascar leader names army officer as prime minister

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Location of Madagascar

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Andry Rajoelina

Andry Rajoelina, who ousted Madagascan ex-president President Marc Ravalomanana earlier this week, officially became the leader of the country, after being sworn in on Saturday.

National television broadcast the inauguration, which occurred at a soccer field in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. Tens of thousands of people attended the event, although approximately 2,000 supporters of Ravalomanana held protests in the capital's Democracy Square.

“We proclaim today the end of the dictatorship,” said the new president, promising to tackle corruption that was rife under Ravalomanana.

Earlier this week, then-president Ravalomanana gave up his power to military forces, which subsequently gave Rajoelina control over the government. Rajoelina was the former mayor of Antananarivo.

Many foreign powers, among them the United States and France, have denounced the change in leadership as a coup. Norway and the US have both frozen all non-humanitarian aid to Madagascar, whilst the African Union suspended Madagascar's membership. The South African Development Community (SADC) stated that it "completely rejected the legitimacy" of the new president.

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Sources [edit]

"Madagascar's leader is sworn in" — BBC News Online, March 21, 2009
"Former opposition leader becomes Madagascar's president" — CNN, March 21, 2009
Tom Burgis. "Rajoelina sworn in as Magadascar PM" — Financial Times, March 21, 2009

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Madagascar President resigns, unclear rule in Antananarivo

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:58:32 GMT

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Madagascar

Other stories from Madagascar

24 January 2013: Wikinews interviews Aurélien Miralles about Sirenoscincus mobydick species discovery
7 April 2011: At least fourteen dead after eating toxic fish in Madagascar
13 May 2010: Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina 'will not run in polls'
6 March 2010: Somali pirates seize tanker off coast of Madagascar
21 December 2009: Madagascar leader names army officer as prime minister

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Leadership in Madagascar is unclear as Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana announced his resignation in favor of a military committee headed by Vice Admiral Hyppolite Ramaroson, only to have that resignation rejected by the Admiral, the military and opposition political groups. Admiral Ramaroson joined other military leaders in saying they would back opposition leader, former Antananarivo mayor and former DJ Andry Rajoelina.

	After deep reflection, I have decided to dissolve the government and give up power so that a military directorate can be established
—Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana

Mr Ravalomanana attempted to hand power over to the heads of the military, given the tasks of discussing and drafting constitutional changes, rather than transfer power to Mr Rajoelina. After the resignation was announced to the opposition, four Army generals and a head of the church were detained for reasons unknown. The true extent of the Army's loyalty to Mr Rajoelina is unclear, as reportedly the military refused to arrest President Ravalomanana despite orders from Mr Rajoelina.

Mr Rajoelina installed himself in the Presidential Palace in upper Antananarivo, which troops had seized yesterday. A cabinet loyal to him has been in operation since the end of January, when Mr Rajoelina proclaimed Mr Ravalomanana's rule to be illegitimate. The Madagascan opposition accuses Mr Ravalomanana of mismanaging the country while restricting personal freedoms.

President Ravalomanana was reportedly first announced via an text message from one of his aides before being confirmed by Ravalomanana's office in a radio broadcast, in which the President proclaimed, "After deep reflection, I have decided to dissolve the government and give up power so that a military directorate can be established". Madagascan Army Chief of Staff Colonel Andre Ndriarijaona has declared his support for Rajoelina and says that "99% of the forces are behind" the opposition leader.

Eco-tourists visit Madagascar to see its unique wildlife.
Image: Bernard Gagnon.

The African Union, meanwhile, reiterated its position that a military takeover in Madagascar would be considered a coup d'etat, which could result in "firm measures" such as Madagascar's suspension from the organization or a blocking of international aid, and urged the military to obey the country's constitution, which bars Mr Rajoelina from the presidency due to his age, and not hand power over to the former mayor, instead suggesting that power could be given to Madagascan Prime Minister General Charles Rabemananjara. Members of the Madagascan opposition say they plan to re-write the constitution and electoral code before holding new elections within two years.

While reports are that the country has been overall stable during the coup, the unrest of the past two months has deprived the country of tourist revenue. Tourism, especially eco-tourism highlighting the country's rainforests and unique mammal species, brings $800 million annually to the Madagascan economy.

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Sources [edit]

Giles Elgood. "Madagascar: a slow-motion coup" — Reuters, March 17, 2009
"SNAP ANALYSIS-Opposition takes reins in Madagascar" — Reuters, March 17, 2009
Lovasa Rabary-Rakotondravony. "Madagascar president hands power over to military" — Associated Press, March 17, 2009
Tsegaye Tadesse. "AU warns Madagascar to respect constitutional order" — Reuters, March 17, 2009
"Madagascar president gives power to military" — CBC News, March 17, 2009
"Madagascar's Ravalomanana resigns" — Radio Netherlands, March 17, 2009
"Madagascan president fails to hand over power" — Xinhua, March 18, 2009
Christina Corbett and Chris McGreal. "Madagascar's president Marc Ravalomanana resigns" — The Guardian, March 17, 2009
"Madagascar military leaders to back Rajoelina" — Reuters, March 17, 2009
"Ravalomanana confirms resignation" — Independent Online (South Africa), March 17, 2009

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Coup in Madagascar; opposition leader backs army

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:54:03 GMT

Monday, March 16, 2009

Madagascar

Other stories from Madagascar

24 January 2013: Wikinews interviews Aurélien Miralles about Sirenoscincus mobydick species discovery
7 April 2011: At least fourteen dead after eating toxic fish in Madagascar
13 May 2010: Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina 'will not run in polls'
6 March 2010: Somali pirates seize tanker off coast of Madagascar
21 December 2009: Madagascar leader names army officer as prime minister

...More articles here

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Gunfire, believed to be shots into the air by celebrating soldiers, was heard in Antananarivo today as the army of Madagascar forced armored vehicles into one of the country's many presidential palaces in an apparent military coup. Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana, whose I Love Madagascar party controls an overwhelming majority of seats in the National Assembly, was not in the palace and is said to be taking shelter in another palace six miles (10 km) from the site.

Andry Rajoelina

"The President of the Republic, the National Assembly and the Senate, and the government are removed from their duties," announced declaration signed by opposition leader Andry Rajoelina which also said new elections would be held within two years. Earlier in the day, Rajoelina, the former mayor of Antananarivo and head of the Tanora malaGasy Vonona movement, had called for President Ravalomanana to be arrested, rejecting the President's offer of a plebiscite on his rule. The occupation of the palace follows a long chain of events which includes Mr Rajoelina's January 31 declaration that he would "run all national affairs" of the country. Mr Rajoelina has been publicly supported in turn by the self-proclaimed chief of staff of the Army and it was unclear as of this writing whether he or the military were leading the coup, and Mr Rajoelina denied ordering the attack on the palace.

Marc Ravalomanana

President Ravalomanana, in response, called for the people of the outskirts of the capital to "organise themselves to thwart all movements of mutinous troops towards the palace in order to protect the president and the palace" on his private radio station.

The African Union, which has been urging both sides to come to the negotiating table during the several months of unrest which has led to the deaths of over one hundred Madagascans, condemned the attempted coup, urging the country to respect its constitution; that constitution bars Mr Rajoelina, who is 34, from the presidency for reasons of age.

Mr Rajoelina argues that under President Ravalomanana, freedoms in the country are being suppressed while large areas of land have been unfairly given over to foreign interests.

President Ravalomanana, meanwhile, has also accused Mr Rajoelina of being a puppet of former Madagascan president Didier Ratsiraka, whose refusal to leave power in 2001 after losing an election led to eight months of demonstrations.

The coup follows a number of legal rebuffs for Mr Rajoelina, who lost the mayorship after his January declaration of power and whose attempt to challenge the legitimacy of President Ravalomanana was rejected by the Madagascan Constitutional Court.

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Sources [edit]

"Madagascar's Rajoelina says did not order attack" — Reuters, March 16, 2009
"Army storms Madagascar presidential palace" — The Daily Telegraph, 16 Mar 2009
"Madagascar army seizes presidency" — BBC News Online, March 16, 2009
"Turmoil in Madagascar" — The Times (South Africa), March 16, 2009
"Malagasy president urges public to repel rebels" — Reuters, March 16, 2009
Jason McLure and Olivier Ramaro. "Madagascar Urges African Union to Support President" — Bloomberg, March 16, 2009
Christina Corbett. "Crisis isolates Madagascar leader" — BBC News, March 15, 2009
Jonny Hogg. "Madagascar's 'young pretender'" — BBC News, March 14, 2009
"Hundreds protest Madagascar mayor's sacking" — Agence France Presse, February 4, 2009
"Mayor 'takes control' in Madagascar" — Al Jazeera, January 31, 2009
"DJ-turned-mayor a thorn for government" — Independent Online (South Africa), January 28, 2009

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13 missing from ship off coast of Madagascar; two rescued

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:36:56 GMT

Monday, July 14, 2008

Thirteen people are missing from a boat believed to have sunk off Madagascar's Sainte Marie island on Thursday. Several Chinese people were on board, as well as some from Madagascar. Two crewmembers are safely rescued.

There appears to be one man from the Chinese mainland on board. Xinhua reports that there are also eight from Taiwan, and all are businessmen. In addition there are four crewmembers left, with two others rescued. The crew were all locals.

The boat had left Sainte Marie to travel 100km North to Masoala so that the businessmen could inspect some fishery assets. According to what Xinhua described as "a reliable source" at around 8:40 p.m. (1740 GMT) the vessel dropped anchor for reasons unknown about 20km from the coast. It is also reported the ship's engine had failed and she was taking on water.

It is known that at around 12:40 a.m. Friday (2140 GMT Thursday) Liu Shouzhi, one of the Taiwanese on board, called his wife. He told her that the ship was in danger of capsizing due to strong winds. Contact with the vessel was lost shortly after.

According to the rescued crewmembers, who were picked up on Saturday morning, those on board the ship had abandoned her in two groups. All of them had life jackets on at the time. They reported the ship could carry thirty passengers.

The Madagascan Navy, coast guard and police are all participating in the search and rescue operation. Six ships and a number of aircraft have been deployed, and soldiers are assisting police in searching the nearby coastline.

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Sources [edit]

"No trace of 9 missing Chinese off Madagascan coast" — Xinhua, July 14, 2008
"13 people missing off Madagascar" — UPI, July 13, 2008

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French inspection: North Korean ship has no illegal cargo

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 19:35:41 GMT

Mayotte is between Madagascar and the coast of Africa

North Korea's nuclear program

Sources [edit]

"France searches N Korean vessel" — BBC News Online, November 16 2006; 15:25GMT
AFP. "French authorities inspect North Korean ship in Indian Ocean" — Yahoo! News, November 16, 2006; 15.07 GMT

"UN slaps sanctions on North Korea" — BBC News Online, October 14, 2006

Press Release: "Security Council codemns nuclear test by Democratic People's Republic of Korea" — United Nations Security Council, October 14, 2006

John Leicester, AP. "France Inspecting North Korean Ship" — Forbes.com, November 16, 2006

AFP. "French authorities inspect NKorean ship" — Yahoo! News, November 16, 2006, 19:14 GMT

External links [edit]

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (English language pages)

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