South Korean naval vessel sinks in waters near border with DPRK

South Korea says it's premature to say what caused a naval ship to sink in waters near a border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A South Korean naval vessel with 104 crew onboard went down off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula on Friday night.

The 1,200-ton "Cheonan" was on a routine patrolling mission near the South Korean island of Bae-krye-ongdo.

The ship went down after an unexplained explosion ripped a hole in the ship's hull.

A number of crew members jumped overboard. Officials said 58 out of the 104 crew members have been rescued thus far.

South Korean Brigadier General Lee Ggi-Sik said, "Our naval ship was damaged by an unidentified cause and it is sinking. Now, 58 people have been rescued from 104 aboard. Our patrol ship is conducting a rescue operation at the accident scene."

Bae Jin-Han, Seoul resident, said, "I am really heartbroken that many sailors are still missing. I'm hoping that a rescue operation and an investigation of the incident will take place as soon as possible."