Japanese Navy Ship Sinks After Catching Fire Off Its Western Coast, 1 Crew Missing, Another Hospitalized

Sinking Naval Vessel — Image for representation purposes only

A Japanese naval minesweeper capsized and sank off Japan’s western coast early November 11 after a fire broke in the engine room of the vessel on November 10, 2024.

One crew member was missing, and another was hospitalized due to smoke inhalation, according to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

The incident occurred around 9:40 a.m. local time when the minesweeper Ukushima was travelling about 2.5 kilometres off Oshima Island in Fukuoka Prefecture.

The 40-member crew of the Ukushima was evacuated to a nearby vessel around 3:45 p.m. local time, except for one missing sailor, identified as Petty Officer 3rd Class Tatsunori Koga, age 33, who was on duty in the engine room at the time of the incident.

Another crew member in his 20s, also present in the engine room, suffered smoke inhalation injuries and was hospitalized but is expected to recover.

Admiral Akira Saito of the JMSDF said on November 10 that firefighting efforts were still underway at 8:30 p.m., warning that the vessel could sink if the fire was not controlled.

Per the reports, the fire started in the engine room when multiple explosions were heard. Despite extensive measures, the fire intensified and caused the ship to capsize around midnight.

Saito says the exact cause of the fire is still being investigated. The minesweeper was on its way to southeastern Kyushu, where it was scheduled to take part in mine warfare drills the next week.

Admiral Saito informed that the JMSDF has never lost a warship to a fire in its history.

The Japan Coast Guard is now leading underwater search operations with divers to locate Koga and inspect the vessel.

The JMSDF has initiated a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and the circumstances that led to the Ukushima’s sinking.

References: Reuters, Kyodo News

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