One Russian sailor has died and five more are missing after a cargo carrier sank off the coast of north Wales.
The ship, the Swanland, with 3,000 tons of limestone onboard, sank 20 miles north-west of the Lleyn peninsula after falling a distress call at about 02:00 GMT on Sunday.
The 81-meter vessel is believed to have suffered a cracked hull.
Two other members of the eight-strong Russian crew were recovered from the water and taken to hospital in Bangor.
Holyhead coastguard who are coordinating the rescue operation said there were concerned for the safety of missing men, although some of them are understood to be wearing immersion suits.
“We know that at least some of them are wearing immersion suits and have strobe lighting with them, however sea conditions are challenging at best,” the BBC quoted Holdyhead’s Jim Green as saying.
Britain's Prince William was the co-pilot of the first rescue helicopter to arrive at the scene, the BBC said. His unit, RAF Valley, confirmed that the prince, who serves as Flt Lt William Wales, co-piloted the helicopter that rescued the two survivors.
In addition, a life raft was found near Bardsey Island off the Lleyn Peninsula, but it was empty.
A decision will be made Monday morning on whether to continue the search and rescue operation, the BBC quoted the Holyhead coastguard as saying.
