Fishing boat capsizes off South Korea, three dead

On Monday morning, a fishing vessel with eight crew members capsized off the west coast of South Korea near Gunsan city. The incident occurred around 7:36 am local time, prompting a swift response from the South Korean coast guard, which deployed helicopters and patrol vessels for rescue operations. All eight individuals were rescued and transported to a hospital, but unfortunately, three of them later died from their injuries. The deceased included the captain, a Korean national, an engineer, and an Indonesian sailor. The remaining five survivors, consisting of three Vietnamese nationals and two Indonesian crew members, were reported to be safe. In light of the tragedy, President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed the oceans and fisheries minister and the coast guard head to mobilize all available resources for the rescue efforts. The coast guard is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the capsizing, particularly the possibility of a collision with a nearby ship. Witnesses reported that the incident occurred shortly after a 1,618-tonne petroleum product carrier passed by the fishing vessel. The coast guard has indicated that they will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident once the injured individuals have recovered. This incident adds to a troubling trend of maritime accidents in the region, highlighting the need for improved safety measures. In March, a separate incident involving a South Korean tanker resulted in the deaths of at least eight crew members, underscoring ongoing concerns about maritime safety in the area. The coast guard's investigation into the recent capsizing aims to uncover the exact causes and prevent future tragedies.