Ashdod: Sailors rescued from sinking ship
Drama in stormy sea: Moldovan vessel carrying 11 Ukrainian crew members caught in storm some 8 miles from Ashdod coast. IAF helicopter, Navy soldiers dispatched to area; some of sailors jump into water, rescued by another ship passing by
A Moldovan ship carrying 11 Ukrainian crew members was caught in a storm Sunday morning, about 13 kilometers (8 miles) off the Ashdod coast.
The Taiwanese crew of ship passing by managed to rescue the sailors from their vessel, which was about to sink. The rescued crew members will likely not require medical care.
According to initial reports, According to initial reports, the ship's captain reported of water entering the prow. Some of the crew members jumped into the water from the ship, which was making its way to the port city of Ashdod.
The waves in the area were said to be between 8 to 10 meters (26 to 32 feet) high.
Navy soldiers and a Yasur helicopter were dispatched to the area to help rescue the sailors. Due to the stormy weather, the rescue forces experienced difficulties. The ship is carrying some 3,200 tons of iron.
Snow in Golan Heights. Stormy weather (Photo: Doron Shamir)
The stormy weather, which began Friday morning after a long summer and dry fall, has caused hundreds of tree to collapse and many electrical power interruptions.
The body of a Russian tourist, 41, who went missing Saturday in the Netanya sea, has been swept up to the shore. According to testimonies, the man was standing on the rocks facing the sea when he was swept into the water by a wave.
The search for the tourist was stopped Saturday evening due to the stormy weather.
Yoav Zitun, Hanan Greenberg and Raanan Ben-Zur contributed to this report
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