About forty Egyptian fishermen were feared drowned after their boat overturned Friday in high seas about 32 km from Ras Gharib, in an oil-rich area south of the Suez canal.
Egypt's state-run Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported the sinking was caused by a 10-meter high wave, which caught the ship while most of the crew were asleep below deck. According to initial findings, the accident occurred when the captain of the vessel dubbed Abu al-Fawaris was trying to lower a launch.
The ship had been fishing in the area - between Egypt's east coast and the Sinai peninsula - for a few days and did not send any distress signals.
The Egyptian navy is searching for survivors, assisted by oil company aircraft based in Ras Gharib. Police sources said 13 bodies have already been recovered. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
