Iranian Ship Ferrying Oil Rig Workers Sinks, 12 People Missing

The Islamic Republic News Agency reported that a ship ferrying people from Iranian oil rigs to land on Thursday sank in the Gulf and has left 12 people missing.

The ferry was carrying a total of 72 people, and was on its way to the port city of Bushehr at the time of its demise, IRNA reported. 

While sixty of the passengers were rescued, it is believed that 12 are still missing and possibly trapped aboard the ship.  IRNA said that a search and rescue mission is underway to locate the missing passengers.

The cause of the sinking is still unknown.

Iran is the second largest oil exporter of OPEC.