At 1:29 p.m. today (September 2), the Coast Guard launched a search operation after receiving a report that a 286-ton tugboat carrying eight crew members had capsized off the coast of Oryukdo, Busan.

One Indonesian crew member in his 50s was rescued by a passing cargo ship, while a South Korean crew member in his 50s was found unconscious and transferred to a hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead.

The Busan Coast Guard has raised its regional rescue headquarters response to Level 3 to search for the remaining six crew members, though officials noted that rescue operations are facing difficulties due to high waves and strong currents in the accident area.