TOKYO: The tourist boat that went missing six days ago with 26 people onboard has been located submerged off the coast of Hokkaido in northern Japan, according to the Japan Coast Guard.

As per reports, the 19-ton Kazu I was found on Friday after the Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted an underwater camera search off the Shiretoko Peninsula in northeastern Hokkaido. Since the boat went missing on April 23, the bodies of 14 persons have been recovered. Twelve people are still missing.

The tourist boat was recovered at the Kashuni Falls, a prominent beautiful site near the peninsula's tip, at a depth of around 100 metres, where the boat reported taking water in and placed a distress call.

The Japan Coast Guard sent out patrol boats to the region where the boat had reported an incident and started a search and rescue operation later.

Despite adverse weather forecasts and warnings, the Kazu I was sailing to the Shiretoko Peninsula, which was recognised as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2005.