14 Indian nationals aboard vessel feared dead

Dubai, Jan 8: At least 14 Indian nationals aboard cruise vesselMSV Sri Krishna Sagar, which sank in international waters off Iraq onDecember 27, are feared dead, according to sources.

A Norwegian tanker sailing some 50 miles south of the Basra OilTerminal, the scene of the tragic mishap, managed to rescue twosurvivors the next day and airlift them to safety in Bahrain.

According to Indian diplomatic sources in the Bahraini capital, Manama, they were later flown to Mumbai.

US Fifth Fleet Naval Command sources in Bahrain told Khaleej Timeslast night that the USS Howard was also involved in the search andrescue operation.

Even as round-the-clock search and rescue mission continues,sources said the chances of finding survivors are now dim. TheIndian-flagged vessel, it is learnt, belonged to the Tadia family inMumbai and was on a scheduled sailing in the Gulf waters. Details ofcrew and passengers on board the ill-fated vessel were not available sofar.

This is the third Indian vessel that sunk in the same vicinitywithin the past one month. However, crew of the first two vessels wererescued.

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