World

Seven missing as boat capsizes off disputed Japan islands

The boat was spotted drifting in waters north of the islands by a Japanese navy patrol in the area, said a coastguard spokesman

By AFP

March 06, 2023

A photograph taken on February 28, 2023 shows parts of a migrants boat, washed on the beach, two days after it sank off Italys southern Calabria region, in Steccato di Cutro, south of Crotone. — AFP/file — A photograph taken on February 28, 2023 shows parts of a migrants boat, washed on the beach, two days after it sank off Italy's southern Calabria region, in Steccato di Cutro, south of Crotone. — AFP/file

TOKYO: Japan’s coastguard said Monday it was searching for seven people missing after their boat capsized and was spotted in waters off the Tokyo-controlled Senkaku islets, which are also claimed by China.

The overturned boat was spotted on Sunday afternoon, drifting in waters north of the islands by a Japanese navy patrol in the area, coastguard spokesman Keisuke Nakao told AFP.

The crews are one Taiwanese and six Indonesians, he added.

"We have been searching the area with patrol ships and helicopters since receiving the information at around 1:30 pm (0430 GMT) Sunday" from the Maritime Self-Defense Force, he said.

Local media in Japan said the boat was Taiwanese, but the coastguard said it had few details yet on the vessel, though it "seems to be a fishing boat".

Nakao said Japanese authorities were coordinating with their counterparts in Taiwan, which also lays claim to the Senkaku islets. Beijing calls the uninhabited territory the Diaoyu Islands.