A missing tour boat has probably sunk off the coast of Hokkaido. There were 26 people on board – they have not been traced even after an extensive search operation.

A tour boat carrying 26 people ran into high waves off the coast of northern Japan and probably sank. As local media reported on Saturday evening (local time), a massive search for survivors was unsuccessful after more than seven hours, citing the Coast Guard. Two children were also among the passengers.

The crew of the “Kazoo Eye” made an emergency call to the former coast guard of the northern island of Hokkaido shortly after noon (local time), after which water entered the boat. Contact was lost in the afternoon.

The Coast Guard searched the area near the Shiretoko Peninsula with a helicopter and several boats by evening, but neither the excursion boat nor the occupants could be seen. peninsula in north-eastern Hokkaido, JapanThe northernmost main island of the U.S. is a popular destination for excursions due to its drifting ice and has been a Natural World Heritage Site since 2005. It is home to many rare animal species and plants.