Tanker Loaded With Acid Capsizes Off Coast Of Japan

The South Korean-flagged “Keoyoung Sun” chemical tanker has capsized off the coast of Yamaguchi prefecture in southwestern Japan, with eight deaths confirmed by the coastguard.

The tanker, forced to anchor due to bad weather, requested assistance after 7:00 am on Wednesday (2200 GMT, Tuesday).

The vessel had 11 crew members on board, of which the Coast Guard retrieved nine. Eight of those have been confirmed dead, with rescuers looking for the remaining two.

The tanker carried around 980 tonnes of acrylic acid, used in plastics, resin, and coatings, and can irritate the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.