Japanese minesweeper sinks after fire; sailor missing
Off the southwest coast of Japan, a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force minesweeper sank after catching fire the day before. One crew member is still missing.
7:10 AM EST, November 11, 2024
On Sunday, around 8:40 PM Eastern Time, the minesweeper Ukushima caught fire near Fukuoka Prefecture. The fire, which likely started in the engine room, was finally controlled after the ship tipped over shortly after 11 PM.
The search for the sailor continues
The coast guard launched a rescue operation when it was discovered that one of the 40 crew members was missing. The search for the 33-year-old bosun, who was on duty in the engine room when the fire broke out, is ongoing. Another sailor from the same area was taken to the hospital, but his life was not in danger.
According to information provided by Japanese broadcaster NHK, the minesweeper Ukushima completely sank on Monday around 7:30 PM Eastern Time. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has convened a committee to investigate the cause of the fire, and the Ministry of Transport has sent two investigators to the site.
Divers from the Japanese coast guard are continuing the search for the missing sailor. The MSDF is working to determine the circumstances that led to the loss of the ship and put the crew's lives at risk.
