Five Chinese fishermen dead or missing in boat accident

By Park Sae-jin Posted : January 27, 2016, 18:27 Updated : January 27, 2016, 18:27

[Photo released by South Korean maritime officials]


A Chinese fisherman died and four others went missing Wednesday after their boat capsized while being towed back home by another Chinese vessel off South Korea's southwestern coast, the coast guard said.

The 100-ton boat carrying ten Chinese fishermen from Shandong started suddenly tilting before capsizing in waters about 85 kilometers (51 miles) northwest of Gageo Island, coast guard officials said, adding five have been rescued.

South Korea's navy dispatched a patrol plane and three ships to the site but their operation has been hampered by strong currents and winds.

The disaster was reported within South Korea's exclusive economic zone, but a Chinese coast guard vessel was allowed to join the operation.

Charles Lim

아주경제 임장원 기자 = cwlim34@ajunews.com 
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