Cambodian freighter towed for colliding with S.Korean boat

SEOUL, April 3, 2010: Nine people were missing Saturday after their fishing boat was hit by a freighter as it helped in the operation to save 46 sailors whose South Korean warship sank last week, maritime police said.

The Cambodian-registered freighter was seized by officials after colliding with the 99-ton Kumyang 98.

The fishing vessel, which had nine crew aboard sank after sending a distress signal late Friday near South Korea's western sea border with North Korea. The boat was one of 10 trawlers mobilized the operation to get to sailors officials say could still be alive in the sunken hull the warship which went down on March 26 following a mystery explosion.

The area has been crowded with 16 patrol ships and other vessels, backed by helicopters and one aircraft, which have been combing the area in a search and rescue operation. AFP