TOKYO, April 24 (Reuters) – Seven people from a missing Japanese tourist boat with 26 people on board have been found after three more were found on Sunday, the Japanese Coast Guard said, although it was unclear if they were still alive.
A Coast Guard official told Reuters that the condition of the three people was unclear, but NHK public television said they were unconscious.
The other four, who were found earlier Sunday morning, were unconscious and have already been taken to hospital, a Coast Guard official said.
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Of the four, three were found by a police helicopter near the top of the Shiretoko Peninsula, the Coast Guard said, and the fourth was spotted by a Coast Guard plane in the same area about 30 minutes later.
Authorities used planes and patrol boats, including seven ships, three planes and four Coast Guard helicopters, to search for Kazu I passengers and crew after encountering trouble near the peninsula, which is known for its wildlife and dramatic coast. Read more
The Coast Guard first heard from the boat’s crew on Saturday afternoon that the water was flooding the ship. He last heard about two hours later when he contacted his operating company to say he was tilting at a 30-degree angle, Kyodo News reported earlier.
The crew said the people on board were wearing life jackets, media reported.
There were 24 passengers and two crew members on board. Two of the passengers were children.
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Report by David Dolan, Kiyoshi Takenaka; Edited by Leslie Adler and Jacqueline Wong
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