26 Dec 2009

Missing crew confirmed dead

1:13 pm on 26 December 2009

Nine crew who were reported missing from a ship that caught fire off the coast of a Caribbean island, have been confirmed dead.

The Venezuelan Navy says their bodies were found by other crew members in various sections of their cargo ship, the Aegan Wind.

The Greek-flagged ship was en route from Brazil to Houston and was northeast of the island of La Blanquilla when the fire broke out.

Five other crew members sustained injuries, including one who is said to be in a serious condition.