Jeju [South Kore], November 8: Two people died and 12 others remained missing after a fishing boat sank off Korea's southern island of Jeju on Friday, with a search under way, the Coast Guard said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the 129-ton Geumseong was carrying 27 crew members - 16 Koreans and 11 foreigners - when the Coast Guard received a distress call at 4:33 am that the boat was sinking 24 kilometers off Jeju's Biyang Island.
Of the 27, 15 were rescued, including two who were found in a state of cardiac arrest, and taken to nearby hospitals. The two were later pronounced dead.
The 12 missing are 10 Koreans and two foreigners.
The rescued crew members said they were transferring their catch to another vessel when the boat suddenly capsized and began to sink, according to the Coast Guard. The boat is now completely underwater.
The Coast Guard has sent 18 vessels and five aircraft to the scene to take part in search and rescue operations. Six Navy vessels were also mobilised, along with the Navy's P-3 maritime patrol aircraft and Lynx helicopter.
Source: Emirates News Agency
