Tourist boat with 26 missing in northern Japan

By Ahmet Furkan Mercan

TOKYO (AA) – A tour boat with 26 people aboard went missing in northern Japan on Saturday after issuing a distress call, according to the coast guard.

The Kazu 1 boat carrying 24 passengers, including two children, disappeared on the northern island of Hokkaido after leaving the port on a three-hour wildlife observation tour, the coast guard said.

Before the distress call saying it is sinking, the boat was last seen off the Shiretoko Peninsula.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced that the wavelength in the area where contact was lost was three meters.

The Japan Coast Guard dispatched six patrol ships and helicopters to the region for a search and rescue operation.

The Self-Defense Forces (SDF) also sent a search and rescue plane to the area where the communication was lost.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism also established a task force to handle the incident.

* Writing by Gozde Bayar