Mizzima News

New Delhi (Mizzima) - Four sailors including two Burmese died and 16 other crew members of a South Korean ship fell unconscious because of food poisoning near India's southern most town of Kanyakumari on Friday, an official at the South Korean Embassy in New Delhi told Mizzima.

The official confirmed that crew members from the ship ''MV Bright Star" suffered from food poisoning and at least four of the crew died. The embassy has sent an official investigating team to assist the crew.

The official said, "The concerned persons left for south India," but declined to provide details saying it will only be available when they return.

A report by the Times of India stated that on Friday policemen and a medical team from Kanyakumari town rushed to the Korean ship, which is anchored in the sea, about 30 kilometres from the town, after receiving an alert at about 9.30 am.

The Korean merchant ship carrying fodder set off from Kandla port in Gurajat state on February 9 and is bound for Singapore.

According to the rescue team, four sailors were found dead and 16 other crew members were in a dehydrated condition, apparently because of food poisoning, on the ship. The crew complained of nausea and diarrhoea and fell unconscious.

According to the report, a medical officer from Kanyakumari identified the dead people as Jophil Pin (22) and Goseong Gaan (19) of South Korea and Saw Myo Htut (32) and Saw David, (29) of Burma.

The rest of the 16-member crew, found unconscious, was taken to a government hospital in Kanyakumari where they are being treated, the report adds.

The ship's captain Kim Kio from Korea and another crew member, Minsin Chai are in a critical condition, the report said.