United Nations Radio

The United Nations maritime task force serving off the Lebanese coast has saved the lives of the crew of a cargo ship that sank Thursday night in rough seas.

UNIFIL vessel patrols Lebanese coast

The task force, part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon known as UNIFIL, has so far rescued at least 35 survivors and recovered the bodies of eight others on Friday. Three more people have been rescued by other ships in the area.

The cargo ship, known as Danny F II and carrying livestock, sent out a distress signal Thursday night after it capsized about 10 nautical miles from the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli. Media reports say the ship had been sailing from Uruguay to Syria.

UNIFIL dispatched three ships - the frigate Zeffiro, the mine hunter Laboe and the supply ship Mosel - to the scene Thursday night. The UN mission said the rescue operation is ongoing, but is being hampered by difficult weather conditions.

Survivors of the sinking are being provided with immediate medical care aboard the UNIFIL ships, before they are transported ashore in Lebanon.

The UNIFIL maritime fleet has been deployed since 2006 in the wake of the war between Israel and Hizbollah. The fleet is tasked with helping the navy secure its territorial waters and prevent the unauthorized entry of arms or related material by sea, into Lebanon.

Last week the task force rescued a crew member from a merchant ship that had sunk off the southern Lebanese coast, and in 2008, the force rescued 14 people from a disabled vessel.

Diane Bailey, United Nations Radio
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