A Russian-flagged fishing vessel caught fire off the coast of South Korea, leaving four out of the 25 sailors on board dead, Russia's state-run media reported Friday.
The 769-ton boat was carrying 100 tons of fish and seafood to Russia when the fire erupted after midnight off the coast of Ulsan, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.
The Ulsan coast guard said 21 people had been rescued, two of whom were receiving emergency treatment for minor burns.
The remaining four were initially declared missing.
Russia’s maritime transportation agency Rosmorrechflot later told the state news agency RIA Novosti that their bodies have been found on board the vessel named the Kaltan.
All 25 crew members were said to be Russian nationals.
Firefighters put out the blaze aboard the vessel after it was tugged to port, according to Yonhap.
Neither the Ulsan coast guard nor Russia’s Rosmorrechflot disclosed what may have caused the fire.
Rosmorrechflot claimed that the Kaltan’s captain and chief engineer stayed behind during an evacuation to assist search and rescue efforts.
Russia’s Far East transport prosecutor’s office said it has launched a probe into the incident, TASS reported.
Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, later said it has launched a case into the violation of safety rules.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
