Ferry with 1 400 people sinks
03/02/2006 13:55  - (SA)  

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Cairo - An Egyptian ferry boat with about 1 400 people on board sank on Friday in the Red Sea during a crossing from Saudi Arabia to Egypt, maritime authorities said, adding that survivors were spotted in lifeboats.

"A helicopter has spotted lifeboats with people on board," said Red Sea port authority chief Mahfuz Taha. "The ship sank 57 miles off Hurghada."

The lifeboats were seen in waters off the Egyptian port city of Safaga, about 600km southeast of Cairo, security sources said. Earlier, a security source said bodies were sighted in the water.

Maritime sources said at least 1 310 Egyptians were on board, as well as around 100 people from other countries, including Sudanese and Saudi nationals.

Among the passengers were pilgrims returning from the annual Muslim hajj to Mecca, they said.

The Egyptian ship, called Al-Salam 98, had departed from the Saudi port of Duba and had been due to reach Safaga at 02:30.

However, officials lost radar contact with the ship, and air and maritime rescue teams were mobilized.

The boat was also reported to be carrying more than 40 vehicles.

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