Two died at shipwreck off Lebanon

18.12.2009 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: Lebanon coast (by bounajoe from outdoors.webshots.com)

At least two men died and dozens are missed after cargo vessel Danny Two shipwrecked off Lebanon coast, informs Friday Reuters referring to sources in Lebanese security service.

Cargo ship Danny Two with 83 passengers aboard overturned on Thursday at 07.30 pm local time 11 nautical miles off Tripoli (Lebanon). The Panama-flagged vessel transported cattle; as it was reported, the ship was Uruguayan.

Nine rescue vessels, medical team and three UNIFIL ships (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) – two German and one Italian – were sent to the accident site.

According to recent information, rescuers managed to save at least 31 men and to pick up two bodies. The British shipmaster was one of died persons, reported France Press.

According to Reuters, the vessel carried 43,000 sheep and sailed to Syrian port Tartus from Uruguay. Most of crewmembers were Filipinos and Pakistanis; citizens of Lebanon and Syria were on board as well.

Presently, the search and rescue operation is in progress, although complicated by strong wind and sea disturbance, reports the agency.