Cargo Ship Sinks Off Greece’s Andros Island; Crew Rescued

All 9 sailors were successfully rescued. File photo. Credit: AMNA

A large rescue cognition was launched by Greek larboard authorities aboriginal this greeting aft a Vanuatu-flagged cargo vessel ran aground connected a rocky country northbound of Andros Island and subsequently sank.

The vessel, which was en way from Albania to Ukraine carrying astir 8,000 metric tons of soda ash, sustained terrible hull harm upon hitting the rocks, causing it to instrumentality connected h2o and sink.

Crew rescued

A full of 9 unit members were connected board, including 8 Turkish nationals and 1 Azerbaijani national. All 9 sailors were successfully rescued successful a coordinated cognition by the Hellenic Coast Guard.

Two of the unit members were pulled from the h2o by a Coast Guard patrol boat, portion the remaining 7 were located and safely evacuated from a treacherous, rocky conception of the coastline.

The rescued sailors were safely transported to the island’s larboard and are reportedly successful bully health.

Two Coast Guard vessels are presently operating astatine the scene, with different 2 en route. Additionally, the rider ferry Samos, 3 adjacent merchant ships, and a Hellenic Air Force chopper rushed to the country to assistance successful the operation.

Favorable upwind conditions successful the country played a decisive relation successful the swift and palmy rescue. The nonstop causes of the grounding and consequent sinking are presently being investigated by the competent authorities.

Related: Viral Video of Greek Ferry Defying Gale-Force Winds successful the Aegean