Death toll from capsized boat in northern Japan reached seven as two more fishermen found dead

Bodies of two more crew members of capsized fishing boat found by rescuers on Thursday in Japan's northern waters, bringing the death toll from the accident to seven, Japan's Coast Guard said.

The No. 3 Shinseimaru was found overturned about 40 kilometers (25 miles) off the cape of Nosappu in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island state, on Wednesday with five dead crew members trapped inside, said coast guard spokeswoman Saori Cho. One crew member was rescued.

The coast guard which sent patrol ships, a helicopter and a plane to search for the missing found the bodies of a 62-year-old engineer and a 43-year-old deck crew member inside the vessel on Thursday.

Coast guard officials said the boat had scratches and a dent, indicating it might have been involved in an accident with another boat. The coast guard is investigating.

Kyodo News agency said the waters where the boat capsized is part of a busy route where large ships, including foreign vessels, travel, reports the AP.

P.T.