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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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