The Ports and Maritime Transport Authority announced on Tuesday that a cargo ship sank 10 nautical miles north of the Jabal Akhdar area in eastern Libya, coinciding with the bad weather conditions on Tuesday.

This came in a statement issued by the Authority addressed to the Navy Chief of Staff, the Coast Guard and Port Security, the Search and Rescue Coordination Center, companies operating commercial and oil ports and free zones, companies owning and operating ships, and the Chamber of Maritime Navigation.

Report on the sunken ship

The Authority said it received a report on the ship at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, which included "information about the loss of control of the cargo ship named MINI MV STARM, registered in Saint Kitts and Nevis, with maritime organization number: IMO N0.8215613).

It added that the ship in question “was spotted at 16:16 at the beginning of the sinking, an estimated 10 nautical miles north of the Jabal Akhdar area,” noting that it was bound for a port in Lebanon and was carrying a cargo of heavy machinery and marble.

Rescue of the crew

The Ports and Maritime Transport Authority confirmed that all 11 crew members on board the ship were rescued and taken to Malta.

Eastern Libya is experiencing unstable weather on Tuesday, with strong winds and the possibility of rain in the evening and at night. Some areas are also experiencing a severe dust storm, which has led to a state of emergency being declared, flights being suspended, and major roads being closed.