Iranian news agency IRNA reported that an Emirati cargo ship called Al Salmy 6 sank near the Iranian coast.

The head of the Department of Maritime Safety and Protection at the General Administration of Ports and Maritime Affairs in Bushehr Province, Hojjat Khosravi confirmed that an Emirati ship carrying a cargo of cars sank 30 miles off the port of Asaluyeh, and a search operation was launched to rescue 30 crew members.

An Emirati cargo vessel carrying cars with 30 people on board has sunk near the Iranian waters (45km from Asaluyeh).
Iran says it has sent vessels and a chopper to rescue the crew floating with life jackets. pic.twitter.com/dks9c54Qsv

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) March 17, 2022

Khosravi mentioned that two tow boats were sent to the location where the Emirati ship sank due to unfavorable weather conditions and strong winds.

He added that a helicopter was dispatched to facilitate the rescue mission, given that there were 30 passengers on the water with life jackets.

Nizar Qaddoura, the operations manager of the Salem Al Makrani Cargo company, told the Associated Press that 16 crew members have been rescued, 11 made it onto a life raft, one was saved by a nearby tanker, and two crew members are still in the water.