21.   Helicopter pilots were able to fly to the stricken vessel after the Agulhas managed to sail within flying distance of the ship.

22.   An Italian military ship had been despatched to assist the stricken vessel.

23.   Eastern Cape Rescue Service members made three trips to the stricken vessel close offshore in an inflatable dinghy to pick up the men before it disappeared below heavy swells.

24.   The stricken vessel sank off the coast of San Cantaldo de Lecce, near the southeast town of Otranto.

25.   Two tugs were directly involved in the operation, with lines attached to the deck of the stricken vessel.

26.   Meanwhile the merchant marine ministry has replaced the officer in charge of the rescue operations, Nikos Spanos, amid a row over delays in helping the stricken vessel.

27.   Rescuers received an alert around midnight and had difficulty reaching the stricken vessel.