1 dead, 1 missing and 1 wounded in fishing boat fire in S. Korea

SEOUL -- One Vietnamese sailor was found dead and one Chinese sailor went missing after a South Korean fishing boat caught fire in waters off the southwestern coast, Yonhap news agency reported Thursday citing the coast guard.

The 85-ton vessel caught fire at around 8:26 a.m. local time (2326 GMT Wednesday) in waters off Goheung, South Jeolla province.

The 23-year-old Vietnamese sailor was found dead from inside the toilet in the stern, while the 29-year-old Chinese remained unaccounted for.

The Chinese sailor was believed to have jumped off the fishing boast after the fire broke out. The coast guard was conducting a search operation, mobilizing five patrol ships and eight private rescue vessels.

Another Vietnamese sailor suffered burns and was sent to a hospital. The others were rescued by ships sailing near the scene.

The blaze was extinguished by the coast guard one hour later. The authorities were investigating the exact cause of the incident.