A search and rescue operation launched off the coast of north Wales after a cargo vessel with Russian sailors on board sank in the Irish Sea has ended in failure, British coast guard officials said on Monday.
The Swanland cargo vessel with 3,000 tons of limestone onboard sank 20 miles north-west of the Lleyn Peninsula after making a distress call at about 02:00 GMT on Sunday. The 81-meter vessel is believed to have suffered a cracked hull after it was hit by high waves.
One sailor died, five went missing, and two other members of the eight-strong Russian crew were recovered and taken to hospital in Bangor.
Rescuers were unable to locate any of the missing sailors and the search has now been called off. An empty lift raft was found during the search.
Britain's Prince William was the co-pilot of the first rescue helicopter to arrive at the scene.
