[Tokyo 7th Reuters]-On the morning of the 7th off the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, a North Korean fishing boat collided with the Fisheries Agency fishing boat. The North Korean ship sank and the crew was thrown into the sea, but all were rescued afterwards, according to the Japan Coast Guard.
About 60 crew members were rescued and handed over to another North Korean fishing boat.
The accident occurred about 350 km northwest of the Noto Peninsula just after 9:00 am on the same day. Maritime Insurance dispatched seven ships to rescue them.
Although Miobo did not reveal the detailed situation of the collision, Takumi Eto, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, expressed his view that the North Korean fishing boat made a sudden turn.
Japanese officials pointed out that North Korean fishing boats were operating illegally within Japan's exclusive economic zone.