7 dead, 2 missing from capsized Korean chemical tanker

A Korean chemical tanker capsized off Mutsure Island of southwestern Japan on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

Seven people are dead and two are still missing after a Korean chemical tanker capsized off Japan’s Mutsure Island Wednesday morning, according to Japanese authorities.

Japanese broadcaster NHK said Wednesday that the Japan Coast Guard found nine of the 11 crew members aboard the vessel at the time of its sinking, but that seven were dead.

The crew of the capsized ship included two Koreans, eight Indonesians and one Chinese national.

The Japan Coast Guard said it received a report that a Korean vessel was tilting at 7 a.m.

The vessel is currently completely capsized in the waters, according to reports.

Local media reported that the vessel was anchored at the time of its sinking due to rough weather.

Waves in the area reached up to 3.5 meters (11 feet) high, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The Japan Coast Guard mobilized aircraft and patrol ships to search the area in the morning and is continuing its search to find the remaining two missing crew members.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]