The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force says a minesweeper that caught fire off the coast of southwestern Japan has sunk, leaving one crew member missing.
Japan Coast Guard divers are searching for Petty Officer 3rd Class Koga Tatsunori, age 33. He was on duty in the minesweeper Ukushima's engine compartment, where the fire is believed to have started.
The MSDF has set up a committee to investigate the fire's cause. The transport ministry's Japan Transport Safety Board is sending two investigators to the site.
MSDF officials say the ship caught fire in waters off Fukuoka Prefecture around 9:40 a.m. on Sunday and the blaze spread throughout the vessel.
The officials say the fire raged for more than 14 hours before the ship capsized early Monday.
Only part of its bow remained visible at 8 a.m. on Monday before it fully sank about 30 minutes later.
Japan Coast Guard divers are searching for Petty Officer 3rd Class Koga Tatsunori, age 33. He was on duty in the minesweeper Ukushima's engine compartment, where the fire is believed to have started.
The MSDF has set up a committee to investigate the fire's cause. The transport ministry's Japan Transport Safety Board is sending two investigators to the site.
MSDF officials say the ship caught fire in waters off Fukuoka Prefecture around 9:40 a.m. on Sunday and the blaze spread throughout the vessel.
The officials say the fire raged for more than 14 hours before the ship capsized early Monday.
Only part of its bow remained visible at 8 a.m. on Monday before it fully sank about 30 minutes later.
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Summary
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force minesweeper, Ukushima, sank off southwestern Japan's coast. One crew member, Petty Officer 3rd Class Koga Tatsunori (33), remains missing after a fire in the engine compartment. The cause of the fire is under investigation by MSDF and Japan Transport Safety Board.
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ID: b29ce580-f7a7-49b2-b763-0365b4358e35
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20241111_13/
Date: Nov. 11, 2024
Created: 2024/11/11 19:00
Updated: 2025/12/08 09:00
Last Read: 2024/11/12 16:20