One Coast Guard officer died and three others went missing after a helicopter on a rescue mission crashed near an island off South Korea’s southwestern coast, officials said Saturday.
The Coast Guard helicopter crashed in waters off Gageodo Island at around 8:27 p.m. Friday, while trying to land near a seawall to carry out a mission to transport an emergency patient to an inland hospital.
Of the four aboard the helicopter -- two pilots, one helicopter mechanic and a relief worker -- the mechanic was rescued late Friday and rushed to a nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead, according to officials.
"The Coast Guard officials and the Navy have launched operations to search for those unaccounted for," a government official said.
"Strong waves and heavy sea fog have effectively hampered overnight search operations. More rescue vessels, maritime patrol aircraft, and naval ships will be mobilized," he added.
A thick sea fog reported in the area on Friday may have caused the accident, with an investigation into what exactly happened currently underway, according to the authorities. (Yonhap)
The Coast Guard helicopter crashed in waters off Gageodo Island at around 8:27 p.m. Friday, while trying to land near a seawall to carry out a mission to transport an emergency patient to an inland hospital.
Of the four aboard the helicopter -- two pilots, one helicopter mechanic and a relief worker -- the mechanic was rescued late Friday and rushed to a nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead, according to officials.
"The Coast Guard officials and the Navy have launched operations to search for those unaccounted for," a government official said.
"Strong waves and heavy sea fog have effectively hampered overnight search operations. More rescue vessels, maritime patrol aircraft, and naval ships will be mobilized," he added.
A thick sea fog reported in the area on Friday may have caused the accident, with an investigation into what exactly happened currently underway, according to the authorities. (Yonhap)
