North Korean crew missing after cargo capsizes off South Korea

A Mongolian-flagged cargo ship carrying North Korean sailors has sunk off South Korea, killing at least two people.

Sixteen sailors were on board the cargo ship that went down off the southern coast of South Korea.

Sixteen sailors were on board the cargo ship that went down off the southern coast of South Korea (photo Reuters)

Three of the crew have been rescued, South Korean officials said. A search was under way for the remaining 11 crew members.

The vessel was heading from North Korea to China with a cargo of steel.

South Korea’s coast guard said 13 vessels and six aircraft were involved in the search.

It is not clear what caused the ship, which sent a distress call in the early hours of Friday, to sink.

South Korea generally returns North Korean sailors who encounter trouble in its waters, if they want to return.