Yonhap reported that a fishing boat capsized off the coast of Jeju Island, South Korea on February 13, forcing the Korean Coast Guard to launch a large-scale rescue operation.
South Korean authorities said they received a distress signal at 7:56 p.m. local time from a 32-ton fishing boat about 12 kilometers southwest of Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo.
Based on the ship's departure records, there were 10 crew members on board the capsized fishing boat, including 1 Indonesian and 3 Vietnamese.
Of the 10 crew members, five, including the captain and four foreign crew members, were rescued, South Korean officials said.
Those rescued are in non-life-threatening condition. The Korean Coast Guard is continuing search and rescue operations.
Earlier, in the early morning of February 9, a South Korean fishing boat with 14 crew members capsized in the sea area 20 nautical miles east of Goemun, Yeosu City, Jeollanam Province, South Korea. Among the victims were 3 Vietnamese, 2 of whom were rescued and treated at the hospital, and 1 who is still missing.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' citizen protection bulletin on February 10 said that immediately after receiving information about the fishing boat capsize in Yeosu, the Vietnamese Embassy in Korea coordinated with local authorities to find out the information.
The Ambassador has directed the Labor Management Board to request the dispatching company and relevant agencies to identify the victims, contact their families and provide instructions on necessary procedures. Currently, the health of the two rescued crew members has recovered and they have contacted their families.
Following the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese Embassy in Korea is closely coordinating with local authorities to closely monitor the rescue process of missing Vietnamese citizens and is ready to take measures to support, protect, and ensure the full and legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens.
