Oil tanker sinks near Suez Canal, no casualties

(Xinhua)

Updated: 2009-08-29 19:24

CAIRO: A Panama-flagged oil tanker split in two before it sank near the Red Sea entrance to the Suez Canal on Friday, said a local newspaper on its website.



The oil tanker that split into two pieces is seen in this undated photo. [Xinhua]

The oil tanker was carrying 60 metric tons of fuel when it split for unknown reasons, said the newspaper.

It said that all the 24 crew members were rescued unhurt, adding that the navigation in the Suez Canal was not affected.

The tanker was on its way from Yemen to Suez for maintenance work and repairs. The accident caused an oil spill.

Egyptian officials are trying to contain the oil spill, and the cause of the accident is being investigated.