More than 20 still missing off Yemen after ship sinks

SANAA, Yemen – At least 36 people have been rescued after a ship carrying more than 60 people capsized in the Arabian Sea as search efforts continue for the missing passengers, a Yemeni military official said.

Col. Abdullah Khamees said authorities were hoping to save more passengers, some of whom are believed to have escaped on lifeboats. In a statement, the internationally recognized Yemeni government said Tuesday that the vessel disappeared some 25 miles (40 kilometres) from the remote island of Socotra five days ago. It was sailing from the southern province of Hadramawt.

Khamees, who was reached by phone from a military base on the island, said the vessel was carrying excess weight.

The government has urged the Saudi-led military coalition — which is backing the government in its fight against Shiite rebels — for help.

Flights between Yemeni cities and the island have been suspended since March 2015, when the Saudi-led coalition began its campaign against the rebels and closed Yemeni air space.