Two people were killed and 12 were missing after a fishing boat sank off the coast of South Korea, an official said.

A fishing boat capsized and sank off the coast of South Korea’s Jeju island on Friday, leaving at least two people dead and dozens missing.

The boat with 27 crew members went fishing for mackerel and sank 24 km northwest of Jeju, coast guard spokesman Kim Han-na said.

Nearby fishing vessels rescued 15 crew members, but two were presumed dead after being washed ashore, she said.

The 13 survivors were not seriously injured.

The crew included 16 South Koreans and 11 foreigners.

The coast guard received a distress call around 4:33 a.m. local time, saying the ship had sunk off the coast of Jeju Biyang.

A rescue operation involving some 27 ships and nine aircraft is currently underway to locate and return the missing crew members.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol called on government agencies to mobilize all resources for the search and rescue operation.

Rescued crew members said the boat suddenly capsized and sank while transferring its catch to another vessel.

Additional agency reporting.