SEOUL, Nov 19 (NNN-YONHAP) – One sailor was confirmed dead, and 11 others unaccounted for, as a South Korean fishing boat caught fire, on Tuesday (today), in waters west of the country’s southern resort island of Jeju, according to local media reports.
The 29-tonne fishing vessel caught fire in waters some 76 km west of a small island, which is located near Jeju Island. It was reported to the police at about 7:05 a.m.
A 60-year-old South Korean sailor was found in waters, some 7.4 km south of the accident scene, about three hours later, and airlifted to a hospital on the island.
The crew member was confirmed dead at the hospital, as he had no signs of breathing and pulse, while suffering a severe burn.
The other 11 sailors, including five South Koreans and six Vietnamese, were still unaccounted for.
Navy and Coast Guard vessels, helicopters and aircraft, as well as, civilian boats were mobilised, but search and rescue operations had difficulty because of high waves and strong winds.– NNN-YONHAP
