S. Korean sailor dies after anti-piracy mission off Somalia coast

SEOUL, South Korea — A South Korean sailor was killed Friday when a rope snapped during the docking of a destroyer returning from a mission near Somalia, the navy said.

The rope broke as it was being tightened to secure the ship to the dock in the southeastern port of Chinhae, according to the South Korean navy. It is investigating the cause but said foul play is not suspected.

The 4,400-ton ROKS Choi Young was returning home after a six-month antipiracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.

A petty officer second class died, and four other sailors were injured in the accident, which occurred about 10:15 a.m., according to the Navy's public affairs office.

One of the injured sailors already has returned to his unit, while the three others remained hospitalized with nonlife-threatening injuries, an official said.

Chinhae, also spelled Jinhae, is home to a U.S. Navy base as well as South Korea’s Naval Academy and the country’s largest navy base.