Malta-bound freighter involved in collision off southern Greece

A cargo ship sank off southern Greece after colliding with another freighter leaving two Syrian seamen dead and eight others missing and spurring a large rescue operation, AFP reports.

The accident happened some 78 miles southwest of the southern Peloponnese peninsula, between the Antigua-flagged Consouth and the Cook Islands-flagged Piri Reis in the Mediterranean Sea. The Consouth was sailing without freight from Turkey to Malta. On board were 16 Russian, Filippino and Polish seamen, all of whom were unhurt.

The Piri Reis however sank. It was carrying a cargo of fertilizer to a Ukrainian port and sever of its 17 Syrian seamen were rescued. Two bodies were pulled out of the sea a few hours after the collision as the search continues for eight seamen.

Weather conditions were good at the time, which facilitated rescue efforts involving coast guard vessels, merchant ships, a rescue helicopter and an airforce C-130 transport plane.