13 Dead, 2 Missing as Fishing Vessel Sinks off South Korea

At least thirteen people have lost their lives after a fishing boat collided with a tanker and sank off the coast of Incheon, South Korea, Yonhap News Agency said citing the country’s coast guard.

The South Korean coast guard has continued a search and rescue operation for two more people, who were reported missing following the incident which occurred at around 6 am local time on Sunday.

At the time of the incident, the fishing vessel Seonchang-1 was carrying two crew members and 20 passengers. Seven people were rescued and taken to a hospital for treatment.

The 336-ton tanker which was involved in the collision, namely the Myeongjin-15, did not sustain any damage.

Korea Herald informed that the tanker’s captain, who had been steering the ship at the time of the accident, and another crew member were arrested on charges of professional negligence resulting in death.

Relevant authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances which led to the incident.

World Maritime News Staff