Two boats carrying 21 individuals capsized off Henoko, a controversial relocation web site for a U.S. navy base on the Japanese island of Okinawa, throwing all into the water and killing two, officers stated
TOKYO — Two boats carrying 21 individuals capsized Monday off Henoko, a controversial relocation web site for a U.S. navy base off Japan’s southern island of Okinawa, throwing all into the water and leaving two of them useless, officers stated.
The Japan Coast Guard stated 18 of them have been college students from a Kyoto highschool on two boats, 10 on Heiwa Maru and eight on the smaller Fukutsu, to watch the Henoko space as a part of their peace training program.
Coast guard rescuers pulled all 21 individuals out of the water, however a 17-year-old feminine pupil and the captain of Fukutsu have been later pronounced useless, officers stated. Two individuals have been injured however their circumstances aren’t life threatening.
Coast guard officers stated the reason for the accident is beneath investigation.
The boats have been a few kilometer (half a mile) east of Henoko once they capsized. A wave advisory was in place through the accident, however the water was not very tough and there was no signal the boats collided, officers stated.
Persistent protests and lawsuits between Okinawa and Tokyo have held up the relocation plan of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from a crowded neighborhood on the island for almost 30 years.
Henoko is a well-liked vacation spot for activists opposing the relocation, however the college students weren’t protesting, officers stated.
Okinawa is dwelling to about half of the 50,000 American troops stationed in Japan beneath the bilateral safety pact. Many Okinawans complain about dangers of accident, noise, air pollution and crime related to U.S. bases.
