ATHENS (Reuters) - Nine crew members of a Greek bulk carrier en route to Houston from Brazil were reported missing on Friday after a fire broke out on board 120 nautical miles off the coast of Venezuela, Greek coast guard officials said.
"The fire is under control, there is no risk of sinking. There is a search and rescue operation going on," one Greek official said. "Of the missing crew, three are Greek and the rest Philippine nationals."
The Aegean Wind was carrying iron ore and is operated by Athens-based Atlantic Bulk Carriers. A lawyer for the company told Greek state TV there were no reports of pollution. The ship, built in 1983, had a crew of 24.
Authorities did not know whether the missing crew had jumped into the sea or were trapped in their cabins.
The official said a search and rescue operation involving one helicopter, a hydroplane and a Venezuelan coast guard vessel was trying to locate the sailors, assisted by a cargo ship sailing near the Greek vessel.
(Reporting by George Georgiopoulos; Editing by Louise Ireland)
