President Moon offers silent tribute to those killed in fishing boat accident

By Lim Chang-won Posted : December 4, 2017, 17:25 Updated : December 4, 2017, 17:25

[Yonhap Photo]


President Moon Jae-in and his aides observed a moment of silence for 13 people killed in a capsized fishing boat off the west coast as a search by dozens of coastguard and naval vessels failed to find any more survivors.

The 9.77-ton recreational fishing boat, Seonchang-1, capsized Sunday when it collided with a 336-ton tanker near Yeongheung Island. Coastguard authorities said 13 people died and two others including the boat's 70-year-old captain went missing.

"For any reason, the state is ultimately responsible for preventing such an accident or for rescuing them," Moon said, proposing a silent tribute at the start of a regular meeting with aides at his office.

Moon expressed his "sincere condolences" to the relatives of the victims and called for safety management of fishing for leisure, according to the president's office.

Coastguard officials have blamed the strong current, low temperature and high waves for hampering a rescue operation. The captain and a sailor of the tanker have been held for questioning.

 
기사 이미지 확대 보기
닫기