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South Korean navy ship 'sinking' South Korean navy ship 'sinking'
(10 minutes later)
A South Korean navy ship with about 100 personnel on board is sinking off the west coast near North Korea, possibly due to a torpedo attack, reports say.A South Korean navy ship with about 100 personnel on board is sinking off the west coast near North Korea, possibly due to a torpedo attack, reports say.
The ship was sinking near Baengnyeong island, Yonhap news agency quoted navy officials as saying.The ship was sinking near Baengnyeong island, Yonhap news agency quoted navy officials as saying.
It also said the South Korean ship had fired shots toward an unidentified ship in the North. The incident has not been confirmed by government officials.It also said the South Korean ship had fired shots toward an unidentified ship in the North. The incident has not been confirmed by government officials.
A rescue operation was said to be under way, amid fears for the sailors.A rescue operation was said to be under way, amid fears for the sailors.
PREVIOUS CLASHES 2009: One North Korean sailor killed in a naval battle2002: Four South Korean sailors and an estimated 30 North Koreans killed in a naval battle1999: At least 17 North Korean sailors believed killed in naval fire fight1998: South Korea captures a North Korean mini-submarine in its waters1996: A North Korean submarine runs aground in South Korean waters
The South Korean government has convened an emergency meeting, according to the officials.The South Korean government has convened an emergency meeting, according to the officials.
The ministry of defence has not confirmed the reports of North Korean involvement.The ministry of defence has not confirmed the reports of North Korean involvement.
The sea boundary separating the North and South has been the scene of clashes before. The Yellow Sea border was the scene of deadly naval battles in 1999 and 2002 and of a fire fight last November which left a North Korean patrol boat in flames and one dead.
In November last year, a South Korean vessel opened fire when the Northern ship crossed a disputed sea border. The North Korean vessel then fired back. The South Korean vessel alleged that the North Korean vessel had crossed the disputed sea border - a charge North Korea denied.
North Korea insists its ship did not cross the border then.