Manila, January 17, SPA -- Philippine authorities are searching for 11 sailors missing after their cargo ship sank in stormy weather off the northern coast, Reuters quoted an official as saying today. A spokesman for the coast guard said eight people had been plucked from choppy waters off Batanes island near Taiwan a few hours after the ship, which was carrying steel from China, sank on Wednesday. "I spoke with the pilots helping our search and rescue ships in the area and they were having difficulty because of near zero visibility due to bad weather," Lieutenant Armand Balilo said, adding they were not giving up the search. The ship, m/v Hofeng No. 7, was on its way to Malaysia and carrying 19 crew from the Philippines when huge waves, strong winds and rain caused it to list and sink. "The rescued seamen were brought to Taiwan for medical treatment," Balilo said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/518486