Lebanon Boat Rescue Efforts Continue; 11 Killed, 39 Saved, 33 Unaccounted For

Rescue teams recovered two more bodies after a freighter sank late Thursday in stormy seas off north Lebanon with 83 crew and passengers on board.

The death toll rose to 11 people including the British captain, while 39 people were found alive. However 33 people were still missing. "The search is still ongoing on the site and in all the surroundings. But the weather is still very bad this morning,"United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) deputy spokesman Andrea Tenenti told said.
Syrian boats were also involved, as was a British helicopter which flew from Cyprus for backup.
Tripoli port and UN officials said nine Lebanese vessels together with a medical crew and three boats of the  UNIFIL were taking part in the extended search.
Force commander Major-General Claudio Graziano called the sinking "a very tragic incident," adding: "Our UNIFIL Maritime Task Force peacekeepers are doing their utmost to save the lives of the victims."
Most of the survivors are Filipinos, Pakistani, Lebanese, Uruguayan, Ukrainian, and Russian.

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