Rescued crew members upon arrival at Karachi. Photo: APP
Karachi - Three more members have yet to be found.
Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) on Sunday rescued crew members onboard a cargo ship that sank due to strong winds and tide.
The joint operation was conducted at 180 nautical miles south of Karachi.
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According to a Pakistan Navy news release, the ship was carrying cargo from India to Somalia.
Emergency messages sent by the crew before sinking were received by a nearby cargo ship, MT Elan Vital, and five crew members were immediately rescued.
Upon receiving the information, Pakistan Navy aircraft on air surveillance was directed to the site and a PMSA aircraft and a ship were also immediately dispatched for assistance.
Rescuers initially identified eight crew members and five more were later rescued with the help of a life raft.
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Another nearby ship, MT Desh Abhimaan, helped rescue another five members. So far, 15 out of 18 crew members — all of whom belong to Syria — have been rescued.
Pakistan Navy and PMSA are currently conducting search operations through ships and aircraft to find the other three members.