TOKYO: Eight individuals tragically lost their lives after a South Korean-flagged tanker capsized off the coast of Japan on Wednesday, the coast guard confirmed, reversing initial reports of successful rescues.
The vessel, named the Keoyoung Sun, carried a crew of 11, including two South Koreans, eight Indonesians, and one Chinese.
The tanker, laden with 980 tonnes of acrylic acid, encountered distress as it tilted near the island of Mutsure, prompting a rescue call to the Japan Coast Guard early Wednesday morning. Despite rescue efforts, eight crew members were pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, while one individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and two others remained missing.
Footage from Japanese broadcaster NHK depicted the overturned vessel’s red hull amidst turbulent waves, accompanied by a life raft and ongoing search operations conducted by coast guard ships and helicopters.
Inclement weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy snow forecasts, compounded rescue efforts. Gusts of up to 126 kilometers per hour were anticipated in various regions, posing additional challenges to maritime operations.
This tragic incident follows a recent maritime disaster involving a South Korean fishing boat, which capsized off the country’s southern coast earlier this month. Despite search and rescue efforts, six individuals remain missing from the vessel, underscoring the dangers posed by maritime activities amidst adverse weather conditions.
In response to the crisis, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has mobilized relevant authorities, including navy and fishing boats, to maximize search and rescue efforts and save lives. Patrol boats, navy vessels, and aircraft have been deployed to support ongoing search operations, emphasizing the urgency and gravity of the situation.
