Tragedy struck early Friday morning off South Korea's picturesque Jeju Island as a 129-tonne fishing boat capsized, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and leaving 12 others missing.
According to Chung Moo-won, a Jeju coast guard official, the accident occurred around 4:30 a.m. (1930 GMT on Thursday) while the crew was hauling fishing nets to transfer their catch to another vessel. A nearby boat raised the alarm, triggering a massive rescue operation.
Out of the 27 crew members aboard, 15 were rescued, including two South Korean nationals who later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Among the missing are two individuals from Indonesia, adding an international dimension to the tragedy.
Authorities have mobilized an extensive fleet comprising 43 vessels, including three navy ships, 13 aircraft, and several deep-sea divers, to support the rescue efforts. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has ordered the deployment of all available resources to aid in the search, emphasizing the safety of rescue workers. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has also requested additional support from the Defense Ministry, including military flares and aircraft to facilitate night operations.
Chung expressed condolences to the families affected and assured the public that every possible effort is being made to locate the missing crew members. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the sinking.
Reference(s):
2 dead and 12 missing after fishing boat sinks off South Korean island
cgtn.com
