Japan arrests Chinese crewman after fatal collision

The Chinese embassy in Japan on Monday confirmed that a Chinese crewman was arrested by Japan after a deadly crash between a Japanese boat and a Sierra Leone- registered cargo.

The embassy told Xinhua that the Japanese side arrested the sailor, Xia Hongbo, at about 10:30 p.m. local time on Sunday after their cargo, Jia Hui, collided with the 500-ton Japanese ship on Friday.

The embassy has urged the Japanese side to investigate the accident as soon as possible and to help the arrested engage a lawyer, adding they will visit other sailors onboard the Jia Hui and the arrested on Oct. 3.

Five of a total of six Japanese crew members were dead after their vessel, Eifuku Maru No. 18, collided with the 3,000-ton Jia Hui and capsized Friday. While 61-year-old Tamao Miki remains missing.

The incident took place at 1:30 a.m. local time Friday about 11 km west of Japan's Izu Oshima, about 100 km south of Tokyo.

A total of 13 crew members of Jia Hui, including Chinese nationals, were in safe condition after the accident.