Friday, October 08, 2004
18 missing as cargo ship sinks (10:10 a.m.)
MANILA -- Eighteen crew members were missing Friday after a locally flagged cargo ship sank in stormy waters off the southern city of Surigao, the coastguard said.
The 196-ton Alta Verde Alfa, loaded with cement, raised a distress call within an hour after leaving the Surigao port, a coastguard statement said.
Two other cargo ships set sail to come to its aid with search and rescue teams on board and were told that the vessel was dead in the water and listing amid huge waves and strong winds in the Surigao Strait.
When the rescuers reached the area four hours later however, the Alta Verde Alfa was nowhere to be seen. The rescue was temporarily called off early Friday due to inclement weather. (AFP)
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