NETHERLANDS
4 dead, 7 missing at sea
Four crew members died and seven were missing Wednesday night in the icy waters of the North Sea after a cargo ship collided with another vessel and sank off the Dutch coast, rescuers said. Coast Guard spokesman Marcel Oldenburger said 13 people were rescued alive. He said a massive air and sea rescue operation involving several helicopters, two navy patrol ships and even one of the ships involved in the collision would continue through the night in an effort to find the remaining seven sailors.
ENGLAND
Raphael work auctioned
One of the most significant drawings by Italian master Raphael in private hands sold for $47.8 million in London on Wednesday, smashing pre-sale estimates for the black chalk work. Sotheby’s auction house said the sale of Head of an Apostle set a record for any work on paper sold at auction.
IRAN
Moderate quake kills 4
A moderate earthquake shook eastern Iran on Wednesday, killing four people and injuring several others, Iranian TV reported. State TV said the 5.5-magnitude quake hit South Khorasan province in eastern Iran near the border with Afghanistan. The quake caused damage to rural buildings and cut power lines and telephone communication.
CANADA
Smuggling route found
Canadian and U.S. immigration officials believe a smuggling ring has been bringing Romanian gypsies into the United States through Mexico in order for them to eventually gain asylum in Canada. At least 85 Romanians, including 35 children, have arrived in Canada since February and applied for asylum, Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said Wednesday. They typically spend a few days in Mexico before illegally crossing the U.S. border and then driving north into Quebec, he said. All were smuggled through a Vermont town where border security was only recently beefed up after the attacks on Sept 11, 2001.
Compiled from wire reports.
