Authorities said that the ship reported a mechanical problem at around 7 am on Sunday following which a distress signal was sent.
(Representative File Photo)
Authorities have informed that the cargo ship had a crew of 14, which comprised of eight Egyptians, four Indians and two Syrians
13 crew members, including four Indians have been reported to be missing while one was rescued after a cargo ship sank off the Greek island of Lesbos in the stormy seas early on Sunday. According to the coast guard, the Raptor, registered in the Comoros, was going to Istanbul from Egypt’s Alexandria and was carrying 6,000 tons of salt on board.
Authorities have informed that the cargo ship had a crew of 14, which comprised of eight Egyptians, four Indians and two Syrians. They further said that the ship reported a mechanical problem at around 7 am on Sunday following which a distress signal was sent. Soon after that, it disappeared about 4 1/2 nautical miles (8 km) southwest of Lesbos, authorities added.
Speaking to the Associated Press, a coast guard spokeswoman said that one Egyptian was rescued and eight merchant ships, two helicopters and one Greek navy frigate were searching for survivors. She also said that three coast guard vessels faced issues in reaching the area because of rough seas.
As the case was an ongoing one, the spokeswoman chose to stay anonymous because she wasn’t authorised to speak to the media.
The national weather service said that Northwesterly winds in excess of 80 kph (50 mph) per hour are blowing in the area.
(with agency inputs)
