South Korea Boat Tragedy: 2 Dead, 12 Missing After Vessel Sinks

Boat Sinks Off South Korea Coast, 2 Confirmed Dead, 12 Missing

“A total of 43 vessels including three navy ships, 13 aircraft and several deep-sea divers were dispatched to...”

Fishing boat sinks off South Korea's Jeju Island, leaving 2 dead and 12 missing, with rescue efforts underway.

Tragedy struck off the southern resort island of Jeju in South Korea today, November 8, when a 129-ton fishing boat sank, resulting in the deaths of two people and leaving 12 others missing. The alarm was raised around 4:30 a.m. local time (19:30 GMT Thursday, November 7) by a nearby vessel that spotted the ship going down.

Chung Moo-won, a Jeju coast guard official, reported that of the 27 crew members on board, 15 were rescued, including two South Korean nationals who unfortunately succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. The search continues for the 12 remaining missing individuals, including two Indonesian nationals.

Rescue Efforts

• The Coast Guard promptly initiated a rescue operation after receiving the distress call.

• Nearby vessels and aircraft have been deployed to assist in the search and rescue mission.

• President Yoon Suk-yeol has ordered all available resources and personnel to aid in the search for survivors.

This incident is a sobering reminder of the risks faced by those working at sea. Our thoughts are with the families of the missing and deceased.

“A total of 43 vessels including three navy ships, 13 aircraft and several deep-sea divers were dispatched to assist in the rescue efforts.

“We offer our condolences to the bereaved families and will make utmost efforts to find the missing by mobilising all rescue equipment and resources,” He said.

According to one of the rescued crew members, the boat capsized while they were lifting fishing nets to transfer their catch to another vessel [no source provided, user question]. This tragic incident has prompted an investigation into its cause, with authorities set to interview surviving crew members to determine what went wrong.

Efforts

The rescue operation is underway, with President Yoon Suk Yeol directing all available resources to be mobilized while ensuring the safety of the rescue teams. This includes military flares and aircraft to assist with nighttime operations, as requested by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The swift response from the government demonstrates the severity of the situation and the commitment to locating the missing individuals.

Investigation and Response

Chung Moo-won, a Jeju coast guard official, confirmed that authorities will investigate the incident's cause by gathering accounts from survivors. This thorough investigation aims to provide answers and prevent similar tragedies in the future. The international community is watching closely, hoping for a successful rescue operation and a thorough understanding of the events leading up to this devastating incident.