NKorean ship sinks after collision

Japanese coastguard officials say a North Korean cargo vessel has sunk following a collision with a Japanese tanker in waters off central Japan.

The officials say sixteen sailors aboard the North Korean vessel Myon Gwang-3 were rescued by the crew of the Japanese tanker Koshumaru No. 11 but the North Korean captain remains unaccounted for.

Japanese patrol vessels and planes have begun a search.

The cause of the collision is unknown.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service