Japan intensifies search for missing tour boat with 26 on board

FILE PHOTO - The Shiretoko Peninsula of Hokkaido, Japan, is pictured in this photo taken by Kyodo on September 25, 2021. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's coast guard used aircraft and patrol boats on Saturday to search for a tour boat with 26 people on board after it sent word it was in trouble off the northern island of Hokkaido, a coast guard official said.

The coast guard heard from the crew of the "Kazu I" at around 1:15 p.m. (0415 GMT) that water was flooding into the vessel, the official said. The boat had been on a sightseeing cruise around the Shiretoko Peninsula, which is famous for its wildlife and dramatic coastline.