7 Crew Members Lost In Ship Accident, Indonesian Embassy Coordinates With South Korean Authorities

Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens and BHI Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha. (ANTARA / Yashinta Difa)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) stated that the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Seoul, South Korea, continues to coordinate with local authorities regarding seven Indonesian citizens who were reported missing in fishing boat accidents in South Korean waters.

Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens and Indonesian Legal Entities (PWNI-BHI) of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha said the local authorities had informed the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul about the accident.

"The Indonesian Embassy in Seoul has received information from the South Korean government regarding the sinking of the 2 Haesinho in Korean waters due to the accident. On the ship there were two South Korean crew members and seven Indonesian crew members," Judha said as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, March 9.

He said that until 13.00 local time (11.00 WIB) South Korean Coast Guard authorities evacuated 3 crew members, two of whom were Indonesian citizens, who were found unconscious.

However, the three crew members died while undergoing intensive care at the Tongyeong SAR Hospital, he said.

Judha said the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul continues to coordinate with the Korean Coast Guard who conducted intensive searches for other crew members who have not been found.

"At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is tracing the family data of Indonesian crew members to inform the search and fulfillment process for the rights of the crew," said Judha.

The fishing boat 2 Haesinhotenggalam on Saturday morning local time in waters located 68 kilometers south of the island in Tongyeong City, South Gyeongsang Province, which is at the southern tip of South Korea.

Nine crew members, including seven Indonesian citizens, were on the overturned 29 tonne ship.