Egyptian Ferry goes missing

Kahnee · February 3, 2006

An Egyptian ferry carrying about 1,300 people has gone missing in the Red Sea, Egyptian officials say.

Lifeboats and bodies have been seen, the officials said.

The Salam 98 disappeared shortly after leaving the port of Duba in Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening, bound for Safaga in southern Egypt.

The ship was last recorded to be 100km (62 miles) from Duba. Rescue vessels and helicopters are searching the area, but the weather is said to be poor.

Most of the passengers are said to be Egyptians working in Saudi Arabia but some are thought to be pilgrims returning from Mecca.

The 6,650-tonne Salam 98 is owned by the Egyptian company, el-Salam Maritime Transport.

The head of administration at el-Salam Maritime Transport, Adel Shukri, said he was not aware of any SOS from the crew.

The ship had been due to arrive at Safaga at about 0300 local time (0100 GMT).

Shipping expert Paul Beaver told the BBC that overloading would not have been a problem as the vessel had a capacity of 1,400.

There was a possibility one or more of the vehicles the ship was transporting could have moved, particularly in bad weather, he said.

andysama · February 3, 2006

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