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Student, Boat Captain Die After Two Vessels Capsize Off Henoko

The coast guard is investigating conditions after the incident occurred under a wave advisory near the disputed base relocation site.

Overview

  • Two boats carrying 21 people overturned off Henoko in Okinawa, leaving a 17-year-old student and a 71-year-old captain dead.
  • Rescuers pulled everyone from the water, and two people were injured with non-life-threatening conditions, officials said.
  • Eighteen students from Doshisha International Junior/Senior High School were on the outing as part of a peace-education visit, and officials said they were observing rather than protesting.
  • Officials reported the capsizings about one kilometer east of Henoko with a wave or high surf advisory in effect, clear weather noted, and no sign of a collision.
  • Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki called it a tragic accident, and the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters has opened an investigation.