7 S.Koreans found dead in boat accident

SEOUL, May 16 (UPI) -- Seven family members were found dead Monday after a boat carrying eight relatives sank off South Korea's western coast, maritime police said.

Only one woman on board, identified by her family name, Ku, was rescued by the Coast Guard from in the waters near Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi Province, officers said.

The Coast Guard mobilized a helicopter and six patrol ships for the search operation after the boat was reported missing on Sunday afternoon.

"The boat is believed to have been wrecked by strong winds and thick fog," a Coast Guard officer said. "We are investigatng details over the accident cause," he said.

The victims were on their way back from a resort island off the country's west coast after fishing.