13 Crew Members Missing as Comoros Cargo Ship Sinks Amid Gale-Force Winds

 A major rescue operation is currently underway for 13 crew members who went missing after a Comoros-flagged cargo ship sank in gale-force winds off the Greek island of Lesbos. According to reports, a navy helicopter was able to pick up one crew member from the RAPTOR cargo ship and take them to Lesbos General Hospital. The crew member is said to be in a state of shock. The fate of the other 13 crew members is currently unknown.

The cargo ship, which was built in 1984, was loaded with salt and was heading for Istanbul. It had sailed from Dekheila, Egypt before experiencing mechanical failure. The ship then started listing and activated a mayday distress signal before disappearing from radar. The ship was believed to have taken on water in the hold due to strong waves, causing it to sink. This incident comes after a historic Greek warship, the Velos, was damaged by gale-force winds after repeatedly hitting a dock. The Velos had taken part in the resistance to the 1967-74 dictatorship.

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the sinking and conducting a rescue operation involving five cargo ships, three coast guard vessels, air force and navy helicopters, as well as a navy frigate. The Greek Meteorological Service had issued an emergency weather warning due to the dangerous weather conditions caused by Storm Oliver. Several parts of Greece experienced strong winds and stormy weather, with ships remaining docked to ensure safety. As of now, there is no report of sea pollution or oil spill. The focus of the rescue operation is to locate the missing crew members.