3 sailors, including 2 Turkish citizens, die of gas poisoning on ship off Spanish coasts

By Senhan Bolelli

MADRID (AA) - Three sailors, including two Turkish and one Georgian citizen, died of poisoning on a cargo ship 50 miles off the Port of Cartagena in southeastern Spain.

According to the initial information provided by the Turkish Embassy in Madrid and the Cartagena Port Authority officials, an accident took place late on Wednesday on the Liberian-flagged cargo ship carrying sunflower oil and operated by a Turkish company.

Three sailors died of poisoning after a gas leakage occurred during the technical work in one of the ship's tanks.

The Turkish captain of the ship was also reported among those who lost their lives.

Authorities announced that another sailor injured in the accident was taken to a hospital by helicopter and is currently in serious condition.

An investigation has been launched into the incident.

The bodies of two Turkish sailors are expected to be sent to Turkey after bureaucratic procedures are completed in Spain.

* Writing by Zehra Nur Duz in Ankara.