The Italian Coast Guard has confirmed that three people were killed after a tug sank off the country's southern coast on Wednesday, May 18.
The Italian-flagged Franco P was pulling a pontoon some 50 nautical miles off the city of Bari when the incident occurred on the evening (local time) of Wednesday.
The coast guard and some Good Samaritan vessels then sailed to the area to render the assistance.
The tug's captain was safely rescued by the crew of a Croatian vessel. However, the bodies of three crewmembers were also found and transported ashore as the search for survivors lasted well into Thursday, May 19.
The coast guard said it is continuing to comb the area for two other crewmembers who are still missing.
