Yacht and Cargo Ship Collide off Southern Japan

A yacht and a cargo ship collided in waters off southern Japan on Wednesday, leaving one person unconscious and several others reported missing, according to officials and media reports.

The captain of a 492-ton gravel carrier reported the collision to the Japan Coast Guard, stating it occurred near Hoto Island in Oita Prefecture. Coast Guard spokeswoman Nanaka Yoshida confirmed the report to AFP.

“We discovered one person at around 10 am (01:00 GMT) and passed them over to emergency services,” she said, adding that the individual had been transported to hospital.

Local media, including public broadcaster NHK, reported that the rescued person was unconscious when recovered from the water.

Rescue Efforts

The coast guard continues to search for several other individuals who were believed to be on board the yacht. However, details about the yacht and the exact number of people aboard remain unclear.

The incident highlights the hazards of maritime navigation in busy coastal waters and the challenges faced by rescue teams when vessels of vastly different sizes collide.