ONE person was reported dead, six missing and 15 others rescued after a British-flagged cruise ship sank in heavy rain and bad weather off the coast of Porticello on Monday (19/8). The location is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Palermo, southern Italy.
Media reports cited by Anadolu Agency said the sinking of the 56-meter-long vessel occurred at around 5 a.m. local time. The ill-fated vessel sank at a depth of 49 meters (nearly 161 feet).
A helicopter was also involved in the rescue operation. The people on board were from Britain, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, France, Ireland, the United States and Canada.
The coast guard and firefighters rescued 15 people. “The search for those reported missing is ongoing,” Italy’s fire brigade said in a statement.
Previously, several media reports said 4 British citizens, 2 US citizens and 1 Canadian citizen were missing after their boat capsized.
The Italian coast guard later found the body of one of the seven missing people, but did not provide information on the victim’s nationality.
A one-year-old child was among the survivors and was taken to a children’s hospital in Palermo for medical treatment. (Ant/Z-2)
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