A fire broke out on an oil products carrier and a freight vessel in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, leaving one person dead and two injured.
According to the Yeosu Coast Guard, a chain fire occurred around 1:04 a.m. on the 16th on the 2,692-ton oil products carrier A and the 24-ton freight vessel B, which were moored at Sinbuk Port in Manheung-dong, Yeosu.
At the time, there were 14 crew members on the A vessel and 4 crew members on the B vessel; however, the Yeosu Coast Guard received a report from the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) and dispatched patrol boats and rescue teams, successfully rescuing all 18 individuals.
However, the 59-year-old captain of the B vessel was found unconscious and was transported to the hospital where he later died. Two foreign crew members aboard the A vessel also sustained burns and are receiving treatment.
The coast guard and firefighting authorities stated that it took approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes to extinguish the A vessel, which was carrying flammable and explosive chemicals. So far, no pollution from harmful chemical leaks has been confirmed, but monitoring is ongoing in preparation for potential secondary accidents.
The coast guard is investigating which vessel caught fire first and the exact cause of the fire.