8 Confirmed Dead in Ship Sinking Off Japan and South Korea

A South Korea coast guard vessel conducts a search operation in waters between South Korea and Japan on Jan. 25, 2023. The Korea Coast Guard via AP

BEIJING—A Chinese official said Thursday that eight people have died in the sinking of a cargo ship in waters between Japan and South Korea.

Lyu Guijun, the consul general in the western Japanese city of Fukuoka, told state broadcaster CGTN that six of the eight victims were Chinese.

There were 22 crew members—14 from China and eight from Burma (also known as Myanmar)—on the 6,551-ton Jin Tian. It sank early Wednesday about 160 kilometers (100 miles) southwest of Nagasaki, Japan.

A rescue boat in waters between South Korea and Japan on Jan. 25, 2023. The 7th Regional Japan Coast Guard Headquarters via AP

Five of the crew have been rescued, including four Chinese, Lyu said. Another eight or nine remain missing, according to varying reports.

Maritime transport websites said the vessel left Malaysia’s Port Klang on Dec. 3 and was headed for South Korea’s Incheon port. The Hong Kong-registered ship was carrying lumber.