Tourist boat in Japan sinks with 26 on board, search for survivors still on

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Rescue teams in Japan say seven people have been found after a tourist boat with 26 people reportedly sank off the country’s northern island of Hokkaido.</p>
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The coastguard could not confirm whether those found were still alive.</p>
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According to Japanese media reports, the tourist boat, Kazu 1 was last heard from at around 15:00 local time on Saturday when the crew said it was tipping at a 30-degree angle and starting to sink.</p>
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Authorities lost contact with the vessel after it sent a distress signal saying it was taking on water at 13:15 local time on Saturday.</p>
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The rescue effort which includes helicopters, patrol boats and divers is still going on. There were two children among the 26 on board.</p>
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The boat was on a three-hour trip around the Shiretoko Peninsula which is a UNESCO world heritage site. The area is popular with tourists for its whales and sea lions as well as brown bears on the rocky beaches.</p>
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The sea had been very rough in the area and local fishing boats are reported to have returned to port by mid-morning.</p>
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The crew reportedly said that all those on board were wearing life jackets.</p>
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But temperatures in the area can plunge to 0 degrees Celsius at night.</p>