BRUSSELS — Two crew members of a Belgian fishing boat drowned after their vessel capsized off the British coast on Tuesday night.

British coast guard authorities said one crew member was rescued, while the fate of a 4th remains unknown.

The boat, from Zeebrugge, capsized 16km off Beachy Head in East Sussex. The cause of the accident is not yet known.

A 21-year-old crew member was pulled to safety. He was found seated on the hull of the boat when British rescuers arrived and taken to hospital in Eastbourne.

The coast guard confirmed the deaths of two crew members, and divers have arrived at the scene.

The emergency signal the ship transmitted on Tuesday night was not immediately received. A passing container ship raised the alarm on Wednesday morning.

Four rescue boats were put to sea, while a navy ship and a helicopter were also dispatched to the stricken ship, Z.122 Noordster.

Search efforts for the 4th crew member were continuing on Wednesday afternoon. It is expected his body will be found inside the capsized boat.

[Copyright Expatica News 2005]

Subject: Belgian news