A ship carrying more than 60 people capsized in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Yemen, but authorities said Wednesday at least 36 people had been rescued and the search for survivors was ongoing.

The ship set sail Saturday from Al Mukalla, the coastal capital of Hadramout Province in southern Yemen, bound for the remote Arabian Sea island of Socotra. But soon after departing, the ship lost contact with authorities, according to Fahd Kafayen, Yemen’s minister of fisheries and a Socotra native. Officials said the ship disappeared about 25 miles from Socotra.

The government has urged a Saudi-led military coalition — which is backing the government in its fight against Shiite rebels — for help. Flights between Yemeni cities and the island have been suspended since March 2015, when the coalition began its campaign against the rebels and closed Yemeni airspace.

Officials have announced a state of emergency in Hadramout, with police and military joining the rescue operation.


Ahmed is a special correspondent. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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