Chile aids stranded Korean ship in Antarctica

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SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - A Korean-flagged fishing ship is stranded in Antarctica with 90 passengers aboard.

Chile's Navy said Monday that the Kwang Ja Ho struck the ocean floor about 1,500 feet (450 meters) from the coast while cruising through Antarctic waters.

The maritime governor for Chile's portion of Antarctica says that a rescue mission was launched. Officials have confirmed that everyone on board is safe and that there currently is no risk of a fuel spill.

The 93-meter (305-foot) trawler was coming from a Peruvian port and carried 817 tons of krill.

Officials say the damage to the ship is in an area that holds a tank for drinking water. Chile's Navy has contacted the ship's owners so they can start figuring out how to salvage the vessel.