Egyptian ship carrying 1,300 people sinks in Red Sea
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-03 19:41

CAIRO, Egypt - An Egyptian passenger ship carrying 1,300 people has sunk in the Red Sea, the head of the Egyptian Maritime Authority, Mahfouz Taha Marzouk, said Friday.

A hand-out photograph shows the Egyptian ferry Al Salam 89 which has disappeared in the Red Sea, according to an Egyptian health ministry official, February 3, 2006. [Reuters]

The ship, "Salaam 98," sunk 40 miles off the Egyptian port of Hurghada, Marzouk said.

Helicopters have spotted bodies as well as one lifeboat carrying three people in the vicinity of where the 25-year-old ship was last seen on the radar screens, Egyptian maritime officials said. They did not say how many bodies were sighted.

Four Egyptian frigates have sailed to rescue survivors, Egypt's minister of transport, Mohammed Lutfy Mansour, told CNN shortly before the sinking of the ship was announced.

"The Coast Guard is doing every in its power to try to rescue these people," Mansour said.