SINGAPORE, Dec 20 — Five people are missing after a barge capsized in Singapore waters yesterday.

According to The Star, the barge Heng Hong 168 capsized in Singapore waters about 5.5km west of Pedra Branca at around 4am due to rough seas and strong winds.

Six crew members of the barge were rescued by a Police Coast Guard patrol craft at around 8am, after the authority received a report that they were sighted on a life raft southwest of Horsburgh Lighthouse.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is conducting a search and rescue operation for the remaining five crew members. The operation involves air and surface searches as well as commercial divers. It was not clear whether the missing crew members jumped into the water or were trapped aboard the ship. — Reuters