South Korean navy fires on vessel after torpedo attack, media reports

The South Korean navy shot at an unidentified vessel near the North Korean border on Friday, after one of their navy vessels was sunk, according to the Yonhap state-funded South Korean news agency. 104 crew members were on board. Some reports indicate that the South Korean vessel was hit by a torpedo.

Photo: Republic of Korea Navy

The South Korean navy ship was sinking off the island of Baengnyeong in the Yellow Sea, near North Korea, Yonhap reported an official as saying.

The 1,500-tonne vessel sank between 9pm and 10pm local time, although it was not clear what caused the incident.

Rescue efforts were underway, and an emergency meeting of ministers had been called.