In a heart-wrenching incident that unfolded in the Suez Canal, a collision between an LPG tanker and a tugboat has resulted in the loss of one crew member's life, as reported by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA).

 

The collision occurred between the Hong Kong-flagged LPG tanker Chinagas Legend and the canal authority's tugboat Fahd. This unfortunate event took place at km 51 in the Al-Ballah area, while the tanker was part of the southbound convoy en route from Singapore to the United States.

 

Regrettably, the tugboat sustained severe damage in the collision, leading to water ingress and subsequent sinking. Thankfully, swift action by the authorities allowed for the rescue of six out of the seven crew members who were on board the sinking tugboat. These survivors received immediate medical attention at a nearby hospital.

 

Initially, one crew member was reported missing. The canal authority's search efforts led to the discovery of the tugboat's wreckage, and tragically, the body of the missing crew member was found inside.

 

The LPG tanker, an impressive vessel measuring 230 meters in length and 36 meters in width, was carrying a substantial cargo of 52,000 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Remarkably, the tanker itself sustained no significant damage during the collision and remains fully operational.

 

Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, expressed that the diligent efforts of the maritime salvage team successfully located and recovered the missing crew member's body from the sunken tugboat Fahd.

 

While five of the rescued crew members have been discharged from the hospital, one crew member continues to be under observation.

 

Although ongoing efforts are being made to salvage the sunken tugboat, maritime traffic through the Suez Canal remains unaffected in both directions, ensuring the smooth flow of global trade.