Cargo ship sailed from St. Petersburg sank off Spain

31.03.2010 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: a sunken ship (sfdi.com)

Cargo ship Kea with 24 crewmembers on board sank 160 miles off northwest Spain, reported Tuesday evening Spanish national television TVE1.

Twenty two crewmembers were rescued; two are missed.

There was gale warning for that area in Tuesday due to strong winds came to north and northwest Spain. Such meteorological conditions significantly hindered carrying out of rescue operation.

Cargo ship was flying the flag of Barbados and headed from St. Petersburg to the port of Santa Marta (Colombia). According to TVE1, the vessel carried azotate (ammonium nitrate) which is very soluble in water.

Spanish frigate Alvaro de Bazan took part in crew rescue operation.