A North Korean cargo ship that was suspected of smuggling coal reportedly crashed into a Chinese ship in the Yellow Sea last month, near the port of Lianyungang and sank, Yonhap reported, citing a source familiar with the incident.
The collision is believed to have resulted in the deaths of about 20 North Korean crewmen, though neither country involved has commented on the accident. The North Korean ship is believed to have turned off its automatic identification system (AIS) which caused it to crash into the Chinese ship, which sustained minor damage.
A rescue attempt was mounted by the Chinese authorities, and only a few North Koreans were saved.
