SEOUL, March 26 (UPI) -- A South Korean navy ship sank in the Yellow Sea after an explosion at the rear of the vessel, officials said Friday.
Navy officials said the explosion, of unknown origin, came after the 1,500-ton ship fired at another ship from the area of North Korea.
The Yonhap News Agency said details of the incident caused concerns of a possible torpedo attack against the South Korean military vessel.
Lee Ki-shik of the South Korean navy said the ship, named "Cheonan," sank after an explosion tore a hole in its bottom, Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, reported.
Fifty-eight of the ship's 108 crew members had been rescued, prompting concerns of possible casualties.
The incident led Cabinet ministers to gather for an emergency meeting.
