Multiple dead and several still missing after fishing vessel capsizes near Falkland Islands
A view of Port Stanley
GETTY
At least six people have died and seven were left missing after a fishing vessel sank near the Falkland Islands.
Crew memebrs of the Argos Georgia fled the ship after it started to sink around 200 miles off the coast of the Falklands on Monday afternoon.
Around 27 people were left stranded in the South Atlantic after initial rescue attempts failed.
Efforts resumed on Tuesday after poor conditions at sea subsided.
An emergency signal received by the Falkland Islands on Monday indicated the boat was east of Stanley
GETTYTen crew members were Spaniards, officials from the Galicia province Pontevedra confirmed.
An emergency signal received by the Falkland Islands on Monday indicated the boat was east of Stanley.
The ship, which also included other nationals onboard, was sailing at 35 knots per hour.
Aircraft and several vessels were deployed in the search-and-rescue effort.
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The Falkland Islands were occupied by Britain in January 1833GettyThe Argos Georgia is managed by Anglo-Norwegian company Argos Froyanes Ltd.
It was sailing under the flag of St Helena, another of the UK’s overseas territories in the South Atlantic.
A British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) Atlas aircraft was able to track and report the position of the liferafts.
A British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) Atlas aircraft was able to track and report the position of the liferafts
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The aircraft and an additional plane maintained a watch on the rafts overnight.
Patrol vessel Lilibet also made its way to the location, alongside two fishing boats.
The first shop to arrive at the scene started the search operation for the crew members of the 16-year-old boat.