In stormy seas off the Greek island of Lesbos, a cargo ship named the Raptor sank early Sunday, leaving 13 crew members missing and one rescued, according to authorities.
The Comoros-registered vessel was en route from Alexandria, Egypt, to Istanbul, carrying 6,000 tons of salt, the coast guard reported. The ship, with a crew of 14 comprising eight Egyptians, four Indians, and two Syrians, reported a mechanical problem at 7 a.m. on Sunday. Following the distress signal, the ship disappeared approximately 4 1/2 nautical miles (8 kilometers) southwest of Lesbos.
A coast guard spokeswoman informed The Associated Press that one Egyptian crew member has been rescued. Search and rescue operations involve eight merchant ships, two helicopters, and a Greek navy frigate. However, challenging conditions, including rough seas with northwesterly winds exceeding 80 kph (50 mph), are hampering efforts. Three coast guard vessels are also facing difficulties reaching the area due to the adverse weather conditions.
The search for survivors is ongoing, with authorities mobilizing significant resources to locate and rescue the missing crew members amid challenging weather conditions in the region.
