Shipwreck off Crete leaves two missing

• Category: News

Yesterday morning a Saint Vincent flagged cargo ship sank off the coast of Crete, after which rescuers managed to save 8 sailors, all Ukrainian in origin, from the wreck. But efforts were still on last night, as two more crew members, again of Ukrainian origin are still missing.
The 70 meter long ship, named Sea Ray, was carrying cargo, consisting of containers, had set sail from Turkey and was heading towards Libya when it sent out a distress signal, sometime before dawn. It was 160 kilometers south of Crete at that point, reported the Merchant Marine Ministry.
After experiencing engine failure, the ship listed as it was taking in water. The situation became worse as gale force winds were also blowing in the area at that time.
Following the distress signal a rescue operation was launched immediately, involving a helicopter, a transport plane, NATO frigate and a navy ship. But the eight crew members from the Sea Ray were rescued mainly by the sailors from one of the three merchant ships which were nearby.