According to South Korea’s foreign ministry, a tragedy occurred when a South Korean-flagged vessel capsized off the coast of Japan, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals. Among the deceased were two South Korean nationals, while the Japanese coastguard managed to rescue an Indonesian crew member. Unfortunately, one crew member remained missing.
The specific name of the vessel was not disclosed by the ministry, but public broadcaster NHK, referencing information from the coastguard, reported that a South Korean-flagged chemical tanker had overturned off the Yamaguchi prefecture’s coast in western Japan. The report confirmed seven fatalities amongst the crew of eleven individuals.
Prior to the tragic incident, the tanker named Keoyoung Sun had been anchored due to adverse weather conditions. Subsequently, the vessel requested assistance after experiencing tilting around 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, as per NHK’s coverage.
In terms of cargo, the tanker was transporting 980 tonnes of acrylic acid at the time of the incident. Fortunately, there has been no evidence of spillage reported following the capsizing, as relayed by NHK.
The South Korean authorities are deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from this maritime accident. Investigations and recovery operations are likely to be ongoing to locate the missing crew member and to determine the cause of the vessel’s capsizing.
With condolences to the families of the deceased and hopes for the safe recovery of the missing crew member, the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by seafarers and the importance of stringent safety measures in maritime operations.
Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event, and we extend our gratitude to the Japanese coastguard for their swift response and rescue efforts in the face of this maritime emergency.
As details continue to emerge about the capsizing of the South Korean-flagged vessel, authorities are expected to provide updates on the progress of the investigation and any further developments related to this unfortunate incident.
Reporting by Ju-min Park and edited by Timothy Heritage, this news serves as a solemn reminder of the risks involved in maritime navigation and the need for vigilance and precautionary measures to ensure the safety of crew members and vessels at sea.
