Asphalt Tanker sinks in Persian Gulf

The 1983-built Asphalt Tanker Durban Queen capsized and sank in the Persian Gulf near Qatar on Tuesday.

The vessel sent out a distress signal when it started to capsize. The French frigate Cassard responded and sent out onboard helicopter and managed to rescue all of the 12 Indian crew.

The ship sank shortly after the arrival of the helicopte, which transferred four crew to a nearby merchant ship and the remaining eight to the frigate. The eight crews were later transferred to cruise ship Sea Princess, which will carry them to shore.

Durban Queen is owned by UAE company Prime Tankers.