Overview
- The cargo ship’s captain reported the collision to the coast guard at about 12:55 p.m. local time.
- The 16-ton, 15-meter fishing boat with 13 aboard split in two, leaving 10 injured and one person initially missing later rescued.
- Authorities identified the deceased as anglers Kokichi Taniguchi, 84, and Motohiro Nakagawa, 67, both from Mie Prefecture.
- The 499-ton vessel, navigated by a 21-year-old officer, is believed to have struck the boat’s starboard side while traveling from Kinuura, Aichi, to Mizushima, Okayama, with its six crew unharmed.
- The Japan Transport Safety Board dispatched four marine accident investigators as coast guard and fire crews continue response and evidence collection.