12 Missing After Cargo Ship Sinks Off Greece Coast

Facts

• A rescue operation is underway to save 12 crew members of a cargo ship — reportedly transporting 6K tons of salt from Alexandria to Istanbul — that capsized in rough waves off Greece's coast early on Sunday.¹
• According to the Coast Guard, the Comoros-registered Raptor — which sank 4.5 nautical miles (8 km) southwest of Lesbos — had a crew of 14, including eight Egyptians, four Indians, and two Syrians.¹
• The Coast Guard has recovered the body of one missing crew member, while another has reportedly been airlifted from the sea and is being treated at the hospital.²
• In addition to Air Force and Navy helicopters, five cargo ships, three Coast Guard vessels, and a naval frigate have joined the search for the missing crew members.³
• The 106-meter-long ship first reported a mechanical failure at 7 am local time. However, it vanished from radar screens after the captain reported it was listing and sounded the 'Mayday' distress signal at 8:20 am.⁴
• The accident occurred amid severe weather conditions. A warning about the approaching Storm Oliver (Bettina) from the Adriatic Sea had previously been issued by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service.⁵

Sources: ¹The Hindu, ²Reuters, ³Al Jazeera, ⁴Daily Sabah and ⁵BNN Breaking.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by BNN Breaking. While the exact reason behind the ship's sinking is still unknown, this incident highlights how dangerous and unpredictable maritime transportation can be and how crucial it is to put safeguards in place to mitigate potential emergencies at sea and stop similar incidents from happening in future.
• Narrative B, as provided by Al Jazeera. Another maritime catastrophe is unfolding in the Mediterranean. We have almost become used to African migrant ships in distress, but this time, it's an old cargo ship with a mechanical issue that sank due to poor weather. A vessel like that had no business being at sea under storm-like conditions.