Nine killed in fire aboard Greek ship off Venezuelan coast

Venezuelan authorities confirmed that nine people who had earlier been reported missing were killed after a fire broke out on a Greek-flagged ship.

"The commander of the ship is confirming to us that the nine people missing were killed," Carlos Aniasi, commander general of the Venezuelan Navy, on Friday said on state television station VTV.

Aniasi said the bodies of the dead sailors were found by their crew-mates in various sections of the Aegan Wind, a Greek cargo ship. "We do not know the circumstances of their deaths, whether they were asphyxiated or whether it they were burned," Aniasi added.

Five other crew-members sustained injuries, including one who was said to be in a serious condition and was transferred to Caracas for medical care.