Four crew members of a cargo ship flying the flag of the Bahamas were intoxicated by fumigation Thursday off the coast of Finistère and one of them died, the Maritime Prefecture of the Atlantic announced on Friday.
Fumigation on board ships is carried out to prevent the spread of parasites and microorganisms in the shipment.
The 88 meter long freighter Fri Dolphin carrying corn alerted the maritime authorities in the early evening Thursday when it was 60 nautical miles (111 km) southwest of Lanvéoc (Finistère), according to the press release from the maritime prefecture. Leaving from Sables d'Olonne, the ship was heading for Hull, England.
The Samu medical team, hoisted on board in particularly bad weather conditions, could only note the death of one of the four intoxicated sailors, specifies the maritime prefecture, which adds that the state of health of the three other sailors is stable.
[#Surgery]
Intoxication of four sailors of the cargo ship Fri Dolphin
Response by # Caïman helicopter from @MarineNationale, # SAMU29, and @SauveteursenMer
▶ ️ # Press Release: https://t.co/6ID6y5HQj9 pic.twitter.com/dXCCmW0y6C
Unable to be towed due to poor sea conditions with waves of 6 to 9 meters, they joined Brest aboard their freighter overnight before being evacuated to the hospital of the Cavale Blanche.
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The maritime prefecture was not immediately able to specify the age and nationality of the victims.