A cargo ship, the Raptor, sank off the Greek island of Lesbos amid stormy seas, resulting in one confirmed death, 12 crew members missing, and one individual rescued, as reported by authorities on Sunday. The vessel, registered in Comoros, was en route to Istanbul from Alexandria, Egypt, carrying 6,000 tons of salt with a crew of 14 members, including eight Egyptians, four Indians, and two Syrians.
The incident unfolded when the ship reported a mechanical problem at 7 a.m. on Sunday, subsequently issuing a distress signal at 8:20 a.m. The vessel disappeared approximately 4.5 nautical miles southwest of Lesbos. A deceased crew member was recovered later in the day and transported to Lesbos, though the identity remains unconfirmed.
One Egyptian crew member was successfully rescued, as reported by a coast guard spokeswoman. The search and rescue efforts involve eight merchant ships, two helicopters, and a Greek navy frigate. Rough seas posed challenges for three coast guard vessels attempting to reach the area. A rescued engineer from the ship reportedly informed coast guard officers that the vessel began taking on water on Saturday. The national weather service noted northwesterly winds exceeding 80 kph (50 mph) in the region, contributing to hazardous conditions during the incident.
Post Your Comments