Japan has confirmed that eight crew members died after their cargo ship sank, and nine more are still missing.
The loss of the 9,800-dwt Jin Tian (built 2010) in the East China Sea on Wednesday ranks as one of shipping’s worst casualties in recent years.
Initial reports had said eight seafarers were missing and 14 were rescued.
But of those saved, nine were unconscious. Eight of these were later declared dead at a Nagasaki hospital.
The Japan Coast Guard said six of those who died were Chinese and two were from Myanmar.
Search efforts are continuing for the missing crew members.
The vessel went down 110 km west of the Danjo Islands, prompting the launch of a joint operation by South Korea’s and Japan’s coast guards.
The Japanese side said five Chinese nationals were confirmed alive.
A distress signal had been sent on Tuesday night and the captain last communicated with coast guard officers through a satellite phone in the early hours of Wednesday, saying the crew would abandon ship.
The vessel sank six minutes later, according to South Korean officials.
Lifeboats found
At least 14 crew members had taken to lifeboats.
The crew consisted of 14 Chinese and eight Myanmar nationals.
The Jin Tian had been expected to reach the port of Incheon in South Korea on Wednesday. It left Malaysia’s Port Klang in early December, according to MarineTraffic.
The cause of the accident is not yet known.
The cargo vessel was managed by Shenzhen Shekou Shipping & Transport of Guangdong, China.
It had a clean port state control detention record and is insured through the West of England P&I Club.
