No more survivors of Basra coast tragedy

Dubai, Jan 9 (UNI) Hopes of finding any more survivors of the December 27 ship tragedy off the Basra coast of Iraq have faded as extensive search and rescue mission on the high seas has ended.

So far, only two of the crew have been rescued while the bodies of two others were flown to Bahrain yesterday, reports said.

The cargo vessel, MSV Sri Krishna Sagar, is reported to have had on board a crew of 16 Indians when it sailed out from Hamriyah Port in Dubai on December 24 on way to Basra.

It capsized in rough sea approximately 50 miles south of the Al Basrah Oil Terminal three days later.

Meanwhile, two survivors, Naranbhai Kaliabhai Tandel and Bhagwanbhai Dayiabhai Tandel, rescued by a Norwegian tanker, Geilo, reached Cairo yesterday via Fujairah and would be flown back home tomorrow, the Khaleej Times reported.

One of the two victims of the tragedy has been identified as Dalsukh Vithal and efforts are now being made to trace the identity of the other and their next of kin as well.

All the 16 crew belong to the same extended family of sailors from Dandi village in Mahadev Pariya district of Valsad in Gujarat.

UNI