the sinking of a cargo ship leaves one dead, large operation underway to rescue 12 people

The “Raptor”, a 106 meter long cargo ship flying the Comoros flag, reported mechanical damage. The body of a man was transported to the port of Mytilene, capital of Lesbos, according to the Greek coast guard.

The sinking of a cargo ship on Sunday off the Greek island of Lesvos, in the Aegean Sea, left one person dead and a large rescue operation is still underway to try to rescue 12 members of the crew of this ship, in an area swept by violent winds. The body of a man was located and transported to the port of Mytilene, capital of Lesvos, the Greek coast guard announced in a press release.

Earlier today, despite strong winds in the area, one of the crew members was able to be rescued by a navy helicopter and transported to Lesvos hospital. “He is in shock”, the coast guard spokesperson told AFP, without giving further details. Fourteen people were on board the Raptora 106-meter-long cargo ship flying the Comoros flag, when it reported mechanical damage at 7 a.m. (6 a.m. in Paris) before activating the distress signal about an hour later and disappearing from radar, according to the authorities.

A journey between Egypt and Turkey

According to the website of the public channel Ert News, the survivor, of Egyptian origin, was found floating on a barrel and, despite a head injury, is in good health. The fate of the other crew members remains unknown at this stage. The rescue operation involves eight boats, three coast guard vessels, two navy and air force helicopters and a navy frigate.

According to the authorities, the Raptor was carrying cargoes of salt and had departed from the port of Dekheila in northern Egypt, with Istanbul as its final destination. This ship built in 1984 sank about 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 km) southwest of the island of Lesbos, according to authorities. The crew included two Syrians, one Indian and eleven Egyptians, according to the Greek news agency ANA, citing the Lebanon-based company that operates the cargo ship. A previous press release from the coast guard had reported four Indians and eight Egyptians.