CTK

Updated 8 hours ago

The cruise ship KAZU I sailed in cold waters northeast of Hokkaido on Saturday, with a crew of two and 24 passengers, including two children. The crew sent a distress call in the afternoon local time (morning CET) informing them that the ship was fetching water. The media reported that, according to the crew, everyone had a life jacket on the plane.

In the area near the Shiretoko Peninsula, part of which is included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List, a search operation was then initiated involving six ships and several planes and divers. The local police and fishermen also helped.

After about 19 hours, four people were found near the tip of the peninsula, who were unconscious “taken to medical care,” the Coast Guard said. He later reported finding five other people, without mentioning their health.

According to NHK television, three people were lifted from the sea from the first four, and the fourth victim from the crash was found on rocky terrain on the beach. On Sunday morning, the Coast Guard confirmed that seven men and three women did not survive the disaster. Further search continues.

The AP warns that water temperatures in the area at this time of year are just above freezing, because of the rocky coast, the area around the peninsula is known to be a challenging place for boating. The connection with the KAZU I appears to have been cut off due to strong winds and large waves.

Local fishermen had previously returned to port in their boats due to poor conditions. There is speculation that the yacht hit rocks in the turbulent waters and its hull was damaged in the accident.

Media noted that the KAZU I crashed last year when it hit the bottom near the port in June. At that time, the incident took place without casualties or injuries.