According to Iranian media, a cargo ship from the United Arab Emirates sank in Gulf waters off the border of Iran with 30 crew members on board.
The tragedy occurred 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the port of Asalouyeh, prompting a search-and-rescue operation in heavy seas, with all but one of the passengers rescued as attempts continued on Thursday, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency.
“So far, twenty-nine crew members have been rescued, and rescue operations are continuing to discover another team member,” an official from Iran’s Bushehr province told IRNA, according to IRNA.
Two Iranian rescue vessels were present at the accident site, according to Jahangir Dehghani, while meteorologists recorded wind gusts of 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph).
The Dubai-based Salem Al Makrani Cargo Company had previously told Reuters that their ship had sunk due to poor weather. The firm’s spokeswoman stated that it was in contact with the port authorities in Asalouyeh.
“Because of the unfavourable weather and severe gusts,” a local maritime protection official told IRNA, “the ship sank before three rescue vessels could reach its site.”
On Wednesday, Iran’s weather agency issued a red alert for high winds and rough seas in the waters off Asalouyeh.
