12 Indian sailors dead as cargo ship sinks off Yemeni coast
Aden: Twelve Indian sailors have gone missing and are presumed dead after their cargo ship sank off the coast of southeast Yemen's Al Shehar town in Hadramout province, it was officially stated on Saturday. The ship ran aground on Thursday night but the incident was not noticed by Yemeni security soon enough.
The ship, registered in Hadramout, sank off the coastal city of Shehr. It was on its way from the United Arab Emirates to Al Mukalla port in Yemen.
Reports quoted officials saying, merchant ship No. 1626 owned by a Yemeni businessman sank while transporting goods near Hadramout's coast.
Rescue boats and coast guards were sent in search of the missing Indian sailors, although much later. Strong winds and high waves further hampered rescue.
Meanwhile, it is also reported several cases of illegal weapons shipments were detected off the coasts of
the strife-ridden Arab country. Last year, the Yemeni Defense Ministry had said it seized an Iranian cargo vessel
while it was smuggling weapons.
