Japanese Minesweeper Ukushima Sinks After Fire, One Crew Member Missing

On the morning of November 11, a Japanese Navy minesweeper, Ukushima, caught fire and sank off the coast of Japan. Ukushima, a wooden-hulled ship measuring 54 meters long, was conducting a training exercise when a fire started in its engine room. When the incident occurred, the ship was about 2.5 kilometers off Oshima Island in Sagami Bay.

The crew on the Ukushima tried to stop the fire immediately, but their first attempts to contain the flames were unsuccessful. As the fire spread quickly through the wooden hull, the crew requested help. The Japan Coast Guard immediately sent a fire-fighting vessel to the area, while the Japanese Navy redirected another minesweeper, named Toyoshima, to assist.

For several hours, the team fought to control the fire, and at one point, it seemed like the fire was under control. However, soon after, the flames reignited and spread throughout the vessel.

As the situation became more dangerous, authorities decided to evacuate all crew members from Ukushima. The crew safely transferred to the nearby Toyoshima minesweeper. During the evacuation, the crew realized that one petty officer, who had been on duty in the engine room, was missing and still on the Ukushima.

The Green Award welcomes 8 New Japanese ports, Expanding its Asian Footprint

Reports say that the fire completely engulfed Ukushima, and eventually, the ship capsized and sank beneath the waves. The Japan Coast Guard sent divers to inspect the wreck and search for the missing crew member. Another crew member, who was also on duty in the engine room, was reported injured from breathing in smoke.

An investigation has been launched by the Japanese Navy to understand what caused this tragic incident. According to officials, only one other Japanese minesweeper has been lost to fire since 1966.