The Merchant Shipping Directorate of the Malta Maritime Authority is investigating the sinking of the Malta-registered vessel Teklifvka, which occurred off the Egyptian coast early Thursday morning.

Search and rescue operations by the Egyptian authorities are currently underway for three crew members who are still reported missing following this accident.

The remaining 12 crew members have been rescued by two merchant ships which proceeded to the scene after acknowledging the distress signal sent by the Maltese cargo ship.

The motor vessel Teklifvka was on her way to Port Said in Egypt, loaded with containers, when she encountered severe weather conditions. No pollution was reported by the Egyptian authorities.

This investigation is being carried out in terms of IMO Assembly Resolution A.849 (20) and two of the Directorate’s worldwide inspectors are assisting in the investigation.