Maritime Tragedy South of Korea: Five Dead and Five Missing after Fishing Boat Capsizes
The cold waters off the southern coast of South Korea have been the scene of a devastating maritime tragedy. A shipwreck that occurred this weekend has claimed the lives of five people, with another five still missing. The Yonhap news agency reported on Monday that the tragic incident took place during the night from Saturday to Sunday.
The ordeal began at 1:41 AM when contact was suddenly lost with the fishing boat carrying 14 crew members, situated 17 kilometers east of Habaek Island, near Yeosu, approximately 450 kilometers south of Seoul. Since that moment, authorities have been enveloped in total anguish.
Among the victims, five Koreans lost their lives, including the 66-year-old captain of the vessel. The missing crew members include three Koreans, one Indonesian, and one Vietnamese. Only four sailors, two Indonesians and two Vietnamese, have been found alive and were urgently transported to a hospital in Goheung.
The chances of finding more survivors are dwindling, but search efforts continue relentlessly. The coast guard has deployed 23 ships and eight aircraft, supported by other agencies and fishing boats. In addition, remotely operated underwater vehicles, operating at depths of 80 meters, are meticulously scouring the wreckage, hoping to find any traces of the missing sailors.
