Three missing after Japanese roro sinks off Ehime coast

Japanese roro vessel Byakko sank early Friday after colliding with Korean chemical tanker Ulsan Pioneer off Ehime Prefecture, western Japan. Three of the twelve crewmembers are missing, including the captain.

According to the Imabari Coast Guard Office, the roro vessel incident was reported around 23.55 hrs local time on Thursday.

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The 2020-built Byakko sank at around 2.45 hrs local time on Friday. Owned by Hokusei Kaiun, the roro vessel was en route from Kobe to Kanda in Fukuoka Prefecture.

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Search and rescue is underway for the missing crew as of 14.00 hrs local time. The nine rescued were picked up by a coast guard patrol vessel and a nearby container vessel.

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