UAE cargo ship sinks off Iran
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An Emirati cargo ship sank in Gulf waters off Iran, triggering a search and rescue operation for its 30 crew in poor weather, Iranian state media reported Thursday.
"An Emirati car transporter ship sank nearly 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the port of Asalouyeh and a search operation has been launched to rescue its 30 crew members," a local maritime protection official told the state IRNA news agency.
"Because of the unfavourable weather and high winds" the vessel sank before three rescue vessels could reach its location, the official said.
NEW 🚨 UAE cargo ship sinks off the coast of Iran, authorities launch rescue operation
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) March 17, 2022
pic.twitter.com/6KJYLUtGaX
The official said the crew were in the water but wearing life jackets.
Iran's weather service had put out a red alert on Wednesday for high winds and heavy seas in the waters off Asalouyeh.
The official did not give further details of the stricken vessel.
Maritime and Shipping Updates
— Captain Singh, FICArb, 74K (@captsingh) March 17, 2022
The last moments before the shipwreck of the
UAE ship AL SALMY 6 near the Iranian coast today pic.twitter.com/MiWv4ivU4j
As well as a port, the town of Asalouyeh is a major petrochemicals centre on the Gulf coast southeast of the city of Bushehr.
Later, an Iranian official said 16 crew rescued from stricken UAE ship, while search for others went on.