The Coast Guard is using helicopters and boats to aid in the search for Le Van Thuc, Thieu Dinh Thuong and Nguyen Dinh Nga who fell overboard on October 9 at approximately 9:30 pm (local time).

Details of the incident are sketchy but authorities say the three men were on a commercial fishing vessel named the Hsiang Fuh Far with 61 crewmembers on board when the accident happened.

Crewmembers dived into the waters in an unsuccessful rescue attempt.

The rescue mission is being hampered by strong winds from Typhoon No 23.

The Embassy of Vietnam in Japan in working closely with the coast Guard to monitor the situation.