The Tanzanian-flagged ship Mohammad-Z sank in the Black Sea 26 nautical miles from Sfintu Gheorghe, the Romanian Maritime Administration announced.< /p>
The distress signal was received around 4:00 a.m. and center officials immediately dispatched the "Artemis" and "Apollo" in the area, the administration notes. Two border police vessels and two nearby merchant vessels also headed to the location.
Mohammad-Z's crew consisted of 11 people - nine Syrian nationals and two Egyptians, the report said. Eight of them were rescued by the merchant ship Michel, which is closest to the disaster site. The search continues for three other crew members - Syrian citizens.
"The cause of the crash is still unknown, says the Romanian Maritime Administration. “An investigation will be conducted to establish the causes and circumstances of the disaster".