Night search continues for 11 days for missing person from tugboat capsize accident off Busan

(Busan = Yonhap News) Reporter Youngjae Lee = The 11th day of night-time search work has begun for the five missing people in the capsize accident of the tugboat TNS Catcher that occurred off the coast of Busan on the 2nd.

The Busan Marine Police Station announced on the afternoon of the 12th that it would begin its night search operation on the 11th, focusing on the sea area where the accident occurred.

18 ships will be deployed to conduct a maritime search in an area 25 km wide and 252 km long. Naval thermal imaging equipment (TOD) is also used.

Currently, the sea off Busan has a wave height of 0.5 to 1.5 m and a northeast wind blowing at 4 to 6 m per second.

Acting Chief of the Korea Coast Guard In-sik Jang also inspected the search site for missing persons off the coast of Busan on this day.

Acting Jang told the Coast Guard members, “It will be difficult at the search site, but I hope you will do your best to find your family.”

On the 2nd, the TNS Catcher capsized during towing operations about 9km east of Oryukdo Island.

Of the eight crew members on board, one was rescued, but the other was found unconscious and died.

One of the six missing people was found on the beach in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do on the 9th, but the remaining five have not yet been found.