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Egypt ship with 1,400 aboard sinks, many feared dead
(AFP/chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-02-03 21:28
CAIRO - Many people are feared dead after an Egyptian ferry with some 1,400 on board, including many Muslim pilgrims, sank in the Red Sea during a crossing from Saudi Arabia to Egypt.
A hand-out photograph shows the Egyptian ferry Al Salam 89 which has disappeared in the Red Sea, according to an Egyptian health ministry official, February 3, 2006. [Reuters] |
Fourteen bodies had already been recovered Friday amid fears of a much higher death toll, while survivors were battling for their lives in lifeboats in heavy seas.
"A helicopter has spotted lifeboats with people on board," said Red Sea port authority chief Mahfuz Taha. "The ship sank 57 miles off Hurghada."
The lifeboats were seen in waters off the Egyptian port city of Safaga, some 600 kilometers (370 miles) southeast of Cairo, security sources said. Earlier, a security source said bodies were sighted in the water.
At least 12 people were rescued but efforts were being complicated by heavy seas, winds and strong currents. However officials said relatively warm weather would help the survival chances of those in lifeboats.
Maritime sources said at least 1,310 passengers were on board, mostly Egyptians as well as Sudanese and Saudi nationals.
Among the passengers were pilgrims returning from the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, they said.
According to a Xinhua report, the Egyptian authorities said there was no Chinese nationals on this ferry boat.
Transport Minister Mohammed Mansur told Egyptian public television that 104 crew members were onboard and added that coordination with Saudi rescuers was underway.
"The seas were very high and the weather was not good," he also told CNN. "The Egyptian navy, the Egyptian coast guard and army have sent four frigates to assist with the rescue operation."
Britain's Royal Navy diverted the HMS Bulwark warship in the Red Sea to offer help but the vessel would reportedly take one and a half days to reach the scene.
The Egyptian ship, called Al-Salam 98, had departed from the Saudi port of Duba and had been due to reach Safaga at 2:30 am local time (0030 GMT).
However, officials lost radar contact with the ship, and air and maritime rescue teams were mobilized. No distress signal was reported to have been received.
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