Indonesian Fishermen Missing After Boat Capsizes in South Korea Collision

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Two Indonesian nationals are missing after a fishing boat carrying Indonesian and South Korean crew members capsized in a collision with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier near Busan, South Korea, authorities said Thursday, June 25, 2026.

The accident involved a 79-ton fishing vessel and a 992-ton LPG carrier. According to the Ulsan Coast Guard, the vessels collided at around 10:10 a.m. local time, throwing all eight crew members aboard the fishing boat into the sea, Antara reported.

The fishing boat was carrying two South Korean nationals and six Indonesian crew members. Six people were rescued by the LPG carrier, but two Indonesian nationals, both in their 30s, remained missing.

Authorities deployed patrol vessels, helicopters, and other rescue equipment to locate the missing crew members. One of the survivors was reported to be in critical condition.

The incident has drawn attention in Indonesia due to the involvement of Indonesian fishermen working overseas. A successful rescue operation would help ensure the safety of Indonesian migrant workers employed in the international fishing industry.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ordered all available resources to be mobilized for the search and rescue operation and for managing the aftermath of the accident, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.

The directive was issued shortly after the president received a briefing on the maritime collision. ***