Aruba S&R saves 15 Venezuelans from capsized vessel

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

A Venezuelan vessel with 17 people aboard has capsized and sunk off the coast of Aruba ... 15 of 17 were rescued while 1 passenger drowned and another has been declared missing. 

According to the Netherlands Antilles Coast Guard Service, the accident took place on coordinates 12-24N and 070-04W. 

Three passengers were picked up by a launch called Lucky Star, while Coast guard patrol launch P-04  and Aruba Search & Rescue (Sarfa) Foundation yachts picked up the rest. 

Helicopter Pedro-2 AS 356 took part in the rescue operation and is still searching for the missing passenger. 

All the passengers are said to be Venezuelan citizens and the authorities are said to be checking out the cause of the accident and why so many people were aboard.