South Korean Fishing Boat Collision Leaves Seven Dead, One Missing

A fishing vessel capsized after colliding with a sand barge near Gyeongju, prompting extensive rescue efforts by South Korean authorities.

The 29-ton fishing boat collided with a 456-ton sand barge early Monday, about 6 kilometers southeast of Gyeongju, South Korea.
Seven crew members, including both South Koreans and Indonesians, were found in cardiac arrest inside the capsized boat and later pronounced dead at the hospital.
One Indonesian crew member remains missing, with search and rescue operations involving 15 coast guard vessels, six helicopters, and dozens of emergency workers ongoing.
Authorities believe the collision occurred due to inattentiveness by the fishing boat's crew, as determined by a preliminary investigation.
South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo ordered an emergency response, highlighting the country's recent history of tragic maritime incidents.