At least eight sailors have been rescued and three are still believed to be missing after a South Korean-flagged chemical tanker overturned off the west coast of Japan on March 19, according to multiple reports.
The island is located off the southwestern end of Japan’s Honshu main island, roughly 620 miles from Tokyo.
Approximately 11 crew members were onboard the vessel when it capsized—eight Indonesians, two South Koreans, and one Chinese, according to Japanese media reports.
Eight were rescued via helicopter at roughly 1:45 p.m. local time, multiple reports state.
Officials haven’t commented on the health conditions of the rescued crew members.
Prior to the tanker capsizing, the crew had sent a distress call to the Coast Guard asking for help and reported that the tanker was tilting over.
The Japan Coast Guard subsequently sent out boats and aircraft to assist. The ship later completely capsized, the Coast Guard said.
According to the Moji Coast Guard Office, four patrol vessels also saw a capsized vessel in the area.
Video footage aired on Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK television, showed the ship completely upside down with rough sea waves crashing against it.
The rescue mission to find the remaining three missing crew members is ongoing.
Multiple reports state that the Keoyoung Sun tanker was anchored at the time it capsized, having sought refuge from rough weather, including strong winds and high waves.
It isn’t clear exactly what caused the tanker to capsize.
