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5 missing as Chinese fishing boat keels over in waters of S. Korea

09 November 2010 00:45 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Five people went missing after a Chinese fishing boat keeled over in waters off the west coast of South Korea earlier Monday, the consulate office of the Chinese Embassy to South Korea told Xinhua, APA reports quoting Xinhua News Agency.

The accident took place at around 11:00 a.m. local time on Monday, some 38 miles northwest Gyeongnyeolbiyeol island, ChungCheongnam Province.

There were a total of 15 crew members on the fishing boat. Ten of them were rescued by a pass-by ship, five others went missing, the embassy said.

Local Coast Guard launched rescue operation by dispatching a 1, 500-ton patrol vessel, but it was obstacled by strong winds and huge waves.

The Coast Guard said the fishing boat was likely overturned by the waves, but further investigations are needed to find out the exact cause of the accident.

The Chinese Embassy has urged the South Korean side to make every effort to search and rescue the missing crew members.