RSOE EDIS: South Korea - Explosion - 2010.03.26

RSOE Emergency and Disaster Information Service Budapest, Hungary RSOE EDIS ALERTMAIL

2010-03-26 15:34:39 - Explosion - South Korea EDIS CODE: EX-20100326-25463-KOR Date & Time: 2010-03-26 15:34:39 [UTC] Area: South Korea, West Sea, Baengnyeong Island area, '!!! WARNING !!! Missing person(s): 104 Damage level: Heavy (Level 3) Not confirmed information! Description: A Navy patrol boat with 104 crew members on board was sinking in the waters near the western maritime border with North Korea after an explosion, officials said Friday. The 1,200-ton Cheonan began to sink around 9:30 p.m. off Baengnyeong Island in the West Sea. There was an explosion in the rear of the ship, sources said. President Lee Myung-bak called an emergency security ministers’ meeting at 10 p.m. Fifty-eight sailors were rescued so far, officials said. The Navy sent helicopters and ships to the scene to rescue them. The disputed border was the scene of deadly naval clashes in 1999 and 2002. Earlier on the day, North Korea's military threatened South Korea and the United with “unprecedented nuclear strikes" in response a report the two countries plan to topple the communist country. --- A South Korean naval vessel with more than 100 aboard was sinking on Friday in waters near North Korea and Seoul was investigating whether it was hit in a torpedo attack by the North, South Korean media said. Broadcaster SBS said many South Korean sailors on the stricken vessel were feared dead. South Korea’s YTN TV network said the government was investigating whether the sinking was due to a torpedo attack by the North, and Yonhap news agency said the Seoul government had convened an emergency meeting of security-related ministers. Yonhap also reported a South Korean navy ship firing towards an unidentified vessel to the north. North Korea in recent weeks has said it was bolstering its defences in response to joint South Korean-U.S. military drills that were held this month. Posted:2010-03-26 15:34:39 [UTC] Please DO NOT reply to this message: replies may be treated as errors and result in your subscription being deleted. If you have trouble or other queries, send email to havaria@rsoe.hu RSOE EDIS is operated by the National Association of Radio-Distress Signalling and Infocommunications (RSOE), Budapest, Hungary. Because of the complexity of this system and its dependence on other systems, we cannot be responsible for delays or failures in forwarding or transmission. You're receiving this AlertMail because you subscribed for the service. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Contact: havaria@rsoe.hu