One dead, six missing after tug capsizes off Busan, South Korea

Baird Maritime · 2026-09-03

One person is confirmed dead while six others are unaccounted for after a tug capsized and later sank off Busan, South Korea, in the early afternoon (local time) of Wednesday, September 2.

The 286-ton TNS Catcher had been sent to assist a container vessel when it suddenly overturned at around 13:30.

The Korea Coast Guard immediately deployed vessels to the area to render assistance.

The tug's cook, a 53-year-old Indonesian national, was standing on the stern of the capsized vessel when he was rescued by the crew of the containership.

The cook is the only member of the tug's eight-strong crew who is so far known to have survived the incident.

Another crewmember, identified as a 57-year-old Korean national, was found unconscious and was later pronounced deceased after he was brought to hospital.

The remaining crewmembers, which include an Indonesian and five Korean nationals, have not yet been found despite an extensive search operation by the coast guard, the Republic of Korea Navy, the South Korea Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and local fire departments.

The Busan Metropolitan City Government has meanwhile extended assistance to the families of the missing Korean crewmembers.

Source: Baird Maritime — read the full report

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