Maritime news reveals a new tragedy. The cargo ship “Raptor”, according to preliminary information, sank 4.5 miles off the Greek coast of Lesvos, with twelve Egyptians on board.
According to maritime security expert Mohamed al-Rawy, the “Raptor” is a “General Cargo” type vessel that carries general cargo with a total tonnage of 4,294 tonnes. Built in 1984 in Istanbul, it sails under the flag of the Comoros.
The crew consisted of 15 individuals of three different nationalities: one Indian, two Syrians and twelve Egyptians. It should be noted that a member of the crew had disembarked at the port of Alexandria before the ship left on this tragic journey.
The “Raptor” was en route to Turkey on November 21, carrying a cargo of salt. According to exclusive information obtained by Al-Masry Al-Youm, the ship suffered a water leak shortly before the accident. The crew attempted to drain the water, but to no avail. The ship then attempted to avoid sinking, but ultimately the crew had to jump into the water before the ship sank.
This tragedy serves as another reminder of the dangers facing seafarers and the need for increased regulation of maritime safety. The relevant authorities should investigate the causes of the accident and take necessary measures to avoid such disasters in the future.
In the meantime, our thoughts are with the families of the victims and all those affected by this tragedy. Hopefully, stricter security measures will be put in place to protect the lives of sailors and avoid new similar tragedies.