Six people have been reported as missing after a fire broke out on a fishing vessel off the southwestern coast of South Korea on Thursday, February 13.
The incident occurred shortly after 08:30 local time on Thursday as the unidentified 34-tonne vessel was underway some four kilometres east of Hawangdeung Island in North Jeolla province.
The Korea Coast Guard has since deployed patrol vessels to the area and requested assistance from the crews of some nearby fishing boats.
The coast guard personnel and the Good Samaritan boat crews pulled five survivors out of the surrounding waters even as the search and rescue (SAR) effort was being hampered by rough sea conditions.
Local firefighting teams have also been despatched to attempt to contain the blaze.
Acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok told local media that the crews of other fishing boats and commercial vessels in the area have been requested to support the SAR operation by being on the lookout for any sign of the missing sailors.
This is the second fishing vessel incident to occur in South Korean waters in less than a week.
On Sunday, February 9, a trawler capsized in the East China Sea off the city of Yeosu. Of this vessel's 14-strong crew, five are confirmed dead while five others are still missing.