Key Facts
• April 11, 3:50 PM: Fishing rod and cooler box reported abandoned on Otaru shore
• April 11-12: Coast Guard patrol boats, helicopter, police, and fire department conducted search
• April 12, 4:00 PM: Aquarium staff reported a person floating north of the aquarium
• April 12, 4:50 PM: Fire department divers rescued a man estimated in his 60s-70s
• The man was confirmed dead at the scene
• Police are urgently verifying the man’s identity and investigating circumstances
Summary
On April 12, a man in his 60s or 70s was found dead off the coast of Shukutsu, Otaru City, Hokkaido. The rescue followed a report by aquarium staff who noticed a person floating near the northern side of the aquarium. This came after a previous day’s report of fishing equipment left on the shore, prompting a multi-agency search involving the Coast Guard, police, and fire department. Despite rescue efforts by fire department divers, the man was confirmed deceased at the scene. Authorities are prioritizing identification and investigating the incident’s details. The search had been ongoing since April 11, highlighting coordinated emergency response efforts in the area.
