Ship sinks between S. Korea and Japan; 11 found unconscious
PTI, Jan 25, 2023, 10:06 AM IST
In this photo provided by the Korea Coast Guard, a South Korea coast guard vessel conducts a search operation in waters between South Korea and Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. (credit: The Korea Coast Guard via AP)
Seoul: Ships searching in wind-whipped waters between South Korea and Japan have picked up at least 12 of the 22 crewmembers from a cargo ship that sank early Wednesday.
Officials said only one of them remained conscious, but they did not immediately confirm any deaths.
South Korean and Japanese coast guard vessels and aircraft as well as two commercial cargo ships were continuing to search for the 10 missing crewmembers but the efforts were being slowed by strong winds and waves, South Korean officials said.
The 6,551-ton Jin Tan sank about three and a half hours after it sent a distress call at around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday in Japan’s exclusive economic zone, Japanese coast guard spokesperson Shinya Kitahara said.
The vessel, which was Hong Kong registered and carrying lumber, sank about 160 kilometers (100 miles) southwest of Nagasaki, Japan, and about 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of South Korea’s Jeju island.
The captain last communicated with the coast guard through a satellite phone around 2:41 a.m., saying crewmembers would abandon the ship, minutes before it sank, Jeju island coast guard officials said.
Six crewmembers were picked up by South Korean coast guard vessels, while a cargo ship picked up five and a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel picked up one, according to Jeju’s coast guard.
According to South Korean and Japanese officials, 14 crewmembers are Chinese and eight are from Myanmar.
Kitahara, who confirmed the rescue of at least four crewmembers, said the cause of the ship’s sinking was not immediately known and that there were no signs that it collided with another vessel. He said the arrivals of Japanese patrol boats and aircraft were delayed by rough weather following the sinking.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar appointed as deputy prime minister
Elon Musk in Beijing amid efforts to promote Tesla’s autonomous driving tech
Retrial of Harvey Weinstein unlikely to occur soon, if ever, experts say
Three women from India killed in US car crash; their Gujarat village holds prayer meeting
China says talks on Tibet only with Dalai Lama’s representatives; rules out dialogue on autonomy
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Uppunda: One killed, five injured in road mishap
When is Modi govt going to pay Karnataka’s MGNREGS workers their wages, asks Congress
CNG shortage plagues Udupi district, Motorists face hours of waiting
When is Modi govt going to pay Karnataka’s MGNREGS workers their wages, asks Congress
Grisly discovery: Security guards of Cooperative bank murdered in Kerala