Three bodies have been recovered near the wreckage of the sunken Thorco Cloud and one of them has been confirmed as one of the six missing crew members of the sunken vessel.
The six crew members of the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged freighter Thorco Cloud went missing after their ship sank in the Singapore Strait in the evening hours of December 16.
“We are sorry to report that we have been informed by local search and rescue teams that over Christmas three lifeless bodies were recovered relatively close to the wreckage of Thorco Cloud in the Singapore Strait. One of them has been officially identified as one of the six missing crew members from Thorco Cloud,” the ship’s owner Thorco Shipping said in an update.
MV Thorco Cloud had 12 crew members on board when it collided with Cayman Islands-registered chemical tanker Stolt Commitment and sank, out of which six were rescued.
“We are deeply affected by the loss the family has suffered and our deepest sympathy and thoughts go out to the them, as well as to the families still in a state of uncertainty,” the company adds.
As informed, DNA samples and personal records have been forwarded to the authorities to affirm the identity of the other two recovered, and if they are related to Thorco Cloud.
The search for the remaining missing crew members continues unabated, as well as the authorities’ investigation. Following the first diving survey, which have resulted in 3D images, Thorco Cloud reportedly has broken into two pieces, divided with 1600 meters. They furthermore show that the wreckage is stabile.
Only minor oil leakage has been reported and the situation is under control by the local authorities. A wreckage and bunkers removal plan is currently being devised. Site scanning and ROV investigations are expected to be completed soon.
Indonesia has now taken the lead concerning the investigation of the accident.
Related news: UPDATE: 6 Filipino crew missing after Danish cargo ship Thorco Cloud sinks near Indonesia
Source :worldmaritimenews.com