Busan tugboat capsizing search enters seventh day

Search operations for six missing crew members following the capsizing of the 286-ton tugboat TNS Catcher off the coast of Busan have entered their seventh day. The vessel overturned on July 2 while towing a 66,332-ton container ship.

Of the eight crew members on board, one South Korean sailor has died, and one Indonesian crew member was rescued from the container ship being towed. The remaining six—five South Koreans and one Indonesian—remain missing. Investigators believe some crew members may have fallen into the sea without life jackets during the sudden capsize, while others may still be trapped inside the vessel, which lies at a depth of 87 meters.

Search efforts face significant challenges due to heavy swells and high winds. The Busan Coast Guard has deployed ships, aircraft, and personnel to search both the sea and coastal areas. While unmanned underwater vehicles (ROV) have been utilized, extremely low visibility and strong currents have hindered progress. Authorities are currently considering the deployment of civilian divers to reach the depth of the sunken vessel.