Off the west coast of Japan, a South Korean-flagged tanker named Keoyoung Sun capsized off Yamaguchi prefecture, prompting a distress call from the crew around 07:00 on Wednesday (22:00 GMT Tuesday). In response, the Japanese coast guard swiftly dispatched boats and aircraft to aid in the rescue effort.
So far, eight sailors have been successfully rescued from the overturned tanker, while three remain missing. Efforts are ongoing to locate and assist the missing crew members amidst the challenging maritime conditions.
The ship was reportedly anchored due to stormy weather conditions, which likely contributed to its capsizing off the coast of Yamaguchi prefecture. However, specific details regarding its cargo have not been promptly disclosed.
Described as an “oil/chemical tanker” according to shipping websites, the vessel’s precise cargo remains undisclosed at this time. The ongoing rescue operation, conducted near the city of Shimonoseki, involves efforts to locate and aid the crew, comprising two Koreans, eight Indonesians, and one Chinese citizen, as reported by Japanese media outlets.
On Wednesday, winds reaching speeds of up to 54 kilometers (33 miles) per hour were recorded in the vicinity, possibly exacerbating the challenging conditions encountered by the distressed tanker and its crew.
