6 days ago
One dead after vessels collide off Oita, southwestern Japan
A collision between a transport ship and a yacht off Oita Prefecture in southwestern Japan has left one person dead.
The local coast guard launched the search involving patrol vessels after it received a call from the captain of the gravel transport ship at around 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday.
The captain reportedly said the ship collided with the yacht off Hoto Island in Tsukumi City, and that the yacht may have sunk as it had disappeared from view.
Officials say a man was rescued from the sea at around 10 a.m. He was found unconscious and taken to a hospital where he was confirmed dead.
They identified the man as Yamamoto Makoto, a 70-year-old doctor from Oita City.
The coast guard ended its search and is now investigating the cause of the accident.
