TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Seven high school students were swept out to sea at Pingtung's Fangliao Fishing Port on Sunday, with six eventually rescued, though one was recovered without vital signs.

Two Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion members were in the fishing port performing a mission with assault boats when they heard cries for help, per UDN.

The marines jumped into action, entering the sea with five lifesavers, swimming 300 meters to make contact with the group. They placed life preservers on the swimmers, two of whom were unconscious and appeared blue. 

A stand-up paddleboarder also joined in the rescue, accompanying the marines and the distressed swimmers until the Coast Guard arrived. The two unconscious swimmers were pulled aboard and revived with CPR.

The marines included one surnamed Chen (陳) from the Paiwan tribe in Chunri Township and the other surnamed Sung (松) from the Bunun tribe. 

While five students were eventually pulled aboard a Coast Guard boat, one made it ashore by himself. However, one 19-year-old student, surnamed Huang (黃), was found to have no vital signs at 7:20 p.m. on Sunday. 

The Coast Guard said sea conditions in Pingtung have been affected by the outer periphery of a passing typhoon. It reported a strong southwest surge with waves 2-3 meters high.

Strong currents can quickly carry people out to sea in Fangliao Fishing Port. Local authorities remind the public that if the waves are big, the area is not suitable for swimming.