SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean coast guard vessels and plane have been looking on Sunday in waters off the nation’s southwestern coast for 9 fishermen who disappeared after their boat capsized.

The coast guard from the southwestern port metropolis of Mokpo stated that three crew members have been rescued by a close-by business vessel following the accident late Saturday in waters close to Daebichi island within the sea county of Sinan.

Survivors stated the boat’s engine room had rapidly full of water earlier than the 24-ton vessel tipped over, based on the coast guard.

Officers have been planning to salvage the boat, nevertheless it wasn’t identified whether or not the 9 lacking crew members can be inside. The Ministry of the Inside and Security stated seven of the lacking have been South Korean nationals and the 2 others have been foreigners, nevertheless it didn’t instantly affirm their nationalities.

Greater than 30 coast guard vessels and at the least eight coast guard and army plane have been looking the realm on Sunday afternoon.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol known as for officers to mobilize “all accessible sources” to widen the search and in addition to supply assist to the households of the lacking fishermen, his workplace stated.