Saudi Arabia rescues Iranian booze-cruise
Cargo ship was on its way to Basra loaded with alcohol
Saudi Arabia came to the rescue of an Iranian booze-cruise stranded by severe weather off a Saudi island in the Arabian Gulf, local press reported Saturday.
Saudi border guards rescued the Iranian crew of the Iran-flagged cargo ship after it deviated from its course due to weather conditions and was stranded near a Saudi island in the Arabian Gulf, the Saudi newspaper al-Hayat and al-Watan reported Saturday.
Six Iranian sailors were rescued, one of whom was transferred to the hospital to receive medical treatment and is in stable condition, said Major Khaled al-Arqouobi, media spokesman for the border control in the Eastern Province.
"The ship was heading to Basra port in Iraq from a Dubai port, but a failure in the engine and weather conditions made the crew lose control, causing the ship to crash and sink," he was quoted as saying.
After rescuing the crew, marine security guards retrieved the ship’s cargo, including around 2,000 bottles of alcoholic beverages and more than 1,500 beer cans. Many more were blown ashore.
The guards collected them and turned them over to the relevant authorities to be destroyed since they were found in Saudi waters.
"We are currently coordinating with the Iranian authorities to transfer the sailors back," Arquobi added. "The marine guards hosted them, made sure they are safe and sound, and allowed them to talk to their families back home."
(Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid)
The marine guards hosted them, made sure they are safe and sound, and allowed them to talk to their families back homeMajor Khaled al-Arqouobi speaking about the Iranian crew