Eight Confirmed Dead as South Korean Chemical Tanker Capsizes Off Japan

Eight seafarers have died and two others are still missing after a South Korean chemical tanker, the Keoyoung Sun, capsized in severe weather off the coast of Yamaguchi prefecture in western Japan, on Wednesday.

The 68-meter-long tanker had initially anchored due to adverse weather conditions. However, by Wednesday morning, the vessel was reportedly listing heavily, prompting a distress call for assistance. A total of 11 crew members were on board at the time of the incident.

Japanese public broadcaster, NHK, reported that nine of the crew members have been retrieved so far, out of which eight have been confirmed dead. The search and rescue operations for the remaining two crew members are still ongoing.

The one crew member who survived is from Indonesia, authorities said.

According to reports, the Keoyoung Sun was transporting 980 tonnes of acrylic acid at the time of the incident. Fortunately, no spillage has been detected so far.

In a statement, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, expressed his sadness over the loss of life in the incident and thanked the search and rescue teams from the Japan Coast Guard for their efforts.

“I extend my deepest condolences and those of the entire IMO family to the families of those who have lost their lives.

“In due course, the investigation report into the casualty should be submitted to IMO for consideration,” Dominguez said.

Equasis data shows the ship is owned and operated by Keoyoung Shipping of South Korea. The ship was built in 1996 and has a deadweight of 1,168 tonnes.

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