A South Korean-flagged chemical tanker carrying 11 people capsized in the high seas off the coast of Japan, Wednesday (20/3). Eight Indonesian crew members (ABK) were on the ship.
“Six crew members have so far been rescued, and the coast guard is still searching for five others. “Meanwhile two South Korean citizens, eight Indonesian citizens and one Chinese citizen were on the ship at the time of the incident,” said the Japanese official.
The tanker was carrying acrylic acid, but there is no information regarding the condition of the acid. He said he did not know the condition of the people who were rescued and rushed to hospital.
Footage from Japanese television station NHK showed the ship’s red hull capsized and a life raft as the coast guard boat was hit by a huge wave and a helicopter flew overhead.
The crew notified the coast guard early Wednesday that the ship was listing and requested help near Mutsure Island, off Japan’s southwestern coast.
“The Japanese Coast Guard received a rescue call shortly after 07.00 saying that the ship is listing, please help us,” continued the official.
NHK said the ship was Keoyoung Sun, which according to specialist website vesselfinder.com is a chemical and oil products tanker built in 1996, measuring 69 meters long. Meanwhile, the ship operator refused to comment. (Z-8)
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