Two crew members died after their tugboat sank in waters off the southeastern port city of Busan, the authorities said Tuesday.

The accident took place around 12:30 p.m. when a towing cable of the 22-ton tugboat, 97 Samyoung, snapped and slapped its side as it was towing another vessel in the waters near Busan's Dudo island.

The 53-year-old captain, identified only by his family name Oh, and his crew member fell into the water and were unconscious when they were pulled out.

They were rushed to a nearby hospital, but they were later pronounced dead.

The authorities said they have installed an oil fence near the shipwreck in efforts to prevent any maritime pollution, adding that an investigation is under way to find the exact cause of the accident. (Yonhap)