Advertisement

Capsized boat survivors headed home

SHIMODA, Japan, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Three fishermen who survived being trapped inside a capsized boat for nearly four days said they are happy to be leaving Japan's Hachijojima Island.

Takamitsu Nyubara, who was taken to the island after being rescued from the boat last week, said he is thrilled to have survived the incident with Moriyoshi Utsunomiya, 57, and Masao Hayakawa, 38, The Kyodo news agency said Sunday.

Advertisement

"No words can describe the happiness that I'm feeling now," Nyubara, 33, said Saturday. "All I could think of (while drifting) was how I was going to die."

The three men were trapped inside the Kofuku Maru No. 1 fishing boat after the 10-ton vessel flipped over near Hachijojima Island on Oct. 24 as the fishermen were attempting to outrace an approaching typhoon.

Hayakawa said prior to being rescued, he and his fellow survivors nearly passed out in the ship's cabin.

"I had almost given up hope," Hayakawa said. "The waves were rough outside and we were shaken for hours on end."

Officials told the Kyodo news agency that all three men are in good condition and passed physical examinations Friday.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines