A 23-year-old Flemish fisherman tragically died on Tuesday in an accident onboard a fishing boat off the English coast, the Flemish Agency for Maritime and Coastal Services and the Labour Prosecutor's Office of Ghent reported on Wednesday.
Another 27-year-old fisherman – also from West Flanders – was injured and rushed to hospital.
The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon onboard the O.51 Stormvogel, a fishing boat with five crew members, near Plymouth on the English coast. Initial findings suggest the victims were buried beneath several hundred kilograms of fishing equipment.
The 23-year-old man hailing from Bredene (West Flanders) succumbed to his injuries on the spot. The 27-year-old injured man from Middelkerke was airlifted to a hospital in Cornwall.
An investigation has been launched by the Labour Prosecutor's Office of Ghent to shed light on the exact circumstances of the accident. The Federal Investigation Bureau of Shipping Accidents has also been notified and will further investigate the causes of the incident.
The Stormvogel currently remains docked at Plymouth harbour.
