Panama Canal reports normal traffic after collision
Xinhua, January 26, 2016 Adjust font size:
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced on Monday that operations are proceeding as normal after a collision between two ships at the Atlantic entrance to the canal on Sunday.
The Venezuelan ship, VFM Alita, collided with another ship, with the crew of the Alita having to abandon ship as it rapidly sank. No injuries were reported.
In a press release, the ACP announced that the Alita, built in 1986, was waiting outside the canal before being scrapped but suffered a hull breach in the collision. Details of the other ship involved have not been released.
"The ship is lying on the sea bed, on its port side. For security reasons...the area has been indicated by two yellow buoys, with night signals," read the report.
It added that incoming ships should be careful to give the area a wide berth.
While the ACP has notified all clients of the details of the accident, it called on all ships to exercise caution. Enditem