Keoyoung Sun: South Korea-flagged tanker capsizes off west coast of Japan

A South Korean-flagged tanker, the Keoyoung Sun, has capsized off the west coast of Japan, leading to the rescue of at least eight sailors, while three remain missing.

The incident occurred near Yamaguchi prefecture after the crew issued a distress call around 07:00 on Wednesday (22:00 GMT Tuesday). In response, the Japanese coast guard promptly dispatched boats and aircraft for assistance.

Reports suggest that the vessel had anchored due to severe weather conditions. However, details regarding its cargo are not yet available.

According to shipping websites, the Keoyoung Sun is classified as an “oil/chemical tanker.”

The rescue operation is underway near the city of Shimonoseki. The crew composition reportedly includes two Koreans, eight Indonesians, and one Chinese citizen.

Japanese media outlets indicate that winds of up to 54km (33 miles) per hour were recorded in the area on Wednesday.