13 rescued after S. Korean and Japanese fishing boats collide in Takeshima

Japan's top government spokesman confirmed the collision and said there had been no casualties on the Japanese side.

Two South Korean and Japanese fishing boats collided in the Sea of Japan on Thursday morning about 330 km (205 miles) northeast of an island claimed by both countries, South Korea's Yonhap News reported.

The 48-tonne South Korean trawler was sinking after the collision, which occurred around 9:38 a.m. local time (0038 GMT), Yonhap quoted the Coast Guard as saying.

A rescue team saved 13 sailors and was still searching for more survivors, Yonhap said.

Japan's top government spokesman confirmed the collision and said there had been no casualties on the Japanese side.