3 crew members die after cargo ship sinks off northern Japan

Three crew members have been dead after a Cambodian cargo ship sank off the Aomori Prefecture in the Sea of Japan on early Friday.

The 1,915-ton "MING GUANG" ship sank approximately 18 km off the Aomori coast at around 6:00 a.m. local time in stormy waters. All 10 crew members have been rescued by helicopter and patrol boat but three of them were confirmed dead after being taken to hospital.

Two of the victims came from China and one from Cambodia. Another two Bangladeshis and five Chinese crew members have been rescued.

According to Japan's coast guard, the vessel was carrying scrap items to South Korea from Hokkaido. It reported to the coast guard office at around 11:40 p.m. Thursday that the vessel was submerged and one crew member was injured.