On May 22, the North Korean freighter Chong Bong sank in the Sea of Japan, after reporting flooding.
More specifically, on May 21, the vessel’s crew alterted Japanese search and rescue authorities that the ship had sustained flooding in its cargo holds.
With the situation getting worse, the seafarers had to abandon the ship into, getting into the lifeboats, before being rescued by a small North Korean tanker.
Eventually, the ship sank a day later.
No injuries were reported, while all crew are accounted fore. However, local media report a miles-long fuel oil slick.
Before the sinking, the U.S. Treasury Department had identified the vessel as a suspected participant in North Korea’s efforts to breach UN sanctions.
