SEVEN people have been pronounced dead after a South Korean-flagged chemical tanker capsized off the coast of Japan.
The vessel, carrying almost 1,000 tonnes of acid, was overturned during a storm at sea.
Seven people have been confirmed dead
A rescue helicopter hauls someone to safety
Japanese coast guard rushed to help the crew of 11, but only nine have been found so far.
They confirmed one member of the crew has been found alive while the remaining sailor’s condition is unknown.
Rescue workers are still searching for two more who were onboard.
Those onboard the Keoyoung Sun sent out a distress call as the tanker struggled off the coast of a Japanese island.
By the time the coast guard reached them, it was completely capsized.
Dramatic footage from NHK shows the boat being thrown around in choppy waters.
And a rescue helicopter hovering above the water hauls a member of the crew up to safety.
Waves in the sea were reaching as high as 3.5 metres during the storm, swallowing the boat.
Officials said the tanker was carrying 980 tons of acrylic acid.
No leak has been detected yet, but officials are looking at what they might have to do if one is.
The crew included two South Korean, one Chinese and eight Indonesian workers.
When disaster struck the boat was anchored off the coast of Mutsure Island, near Honshu.
Honshu, Japan’s main island, is about 1,000km from Tokyo.
It is not entirely clear how the ship capsized.
Acrylic acid is used in plastics, resin and coatings and can irritate the skin, eyes and mucous membranes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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