Storm Forces Three Groundings Near Ulsan, South Korea

Photo shows two of the grounded vessels near Ulsan. Image courtesy icpress.cn

A strong storm on Monday caused three cargo ships to run aground within hours of each near the South Korean city of Ulsan.

Yonhap news agency reports that a rescue is underway for the 46 total crewmembers onboard the three vessels. The initial report said that so far crews had been successful in rescuing 11 and no injuries had been reported. Photos show a frantic scene as rescuers help bring sailors ashore from one of the vessels.

All three vessels grounded as they tried to move to an outer anchorage during strong winds of about 45 miles per hour and waves up to four meters, Yonhap reports.

The grounded vessels include the Chinese-flagged Zhou Hang 2 bulk carrier at 1:47 a.m., the Panamanian-flagged product tanker at 2:30 a.m. and the South Korean-flagged product tanker at 3:55 a.m., the report says.

The same storm system is already responsible for at least 10 deaths in the Yellow Sea after two bulk carriers sank in separate incidents.

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