Navy Launch Capsizes Off Haifa; 1 Dead

A U.S. Navy launch carrying sailors on shore leave back to the aircraft carrier Saratoga capsized off the Israeli port of Haifa early today, killing one and injuring at least 27, Israeli army radio said.

The radio said the Israeli navy was still conducting rescue operations. Between 70 to 100 people had been on the launch, it said.

The launch was on its way to the Saratoga, which is part of the U.S. 6th Fleet, the radio said. The cause of the capsizing was not immediately known and details were sketchy.

U.S. Embassy spokesman Don Cofman said the embassy had been informed of an incident involving a boat shuttling sailors back and forth from the port to ships anchored in Haifa Bay.

He said he had no report of casualties and the matter was under investigation.

One dead person and 27 injured had been admitted to hospitals in Haifa, the radio said. Hospital officials reported that most of the injuries were minor, it said.

The U.S. 6th Fleet makes regular stops at Haifa, Israel’s main port in the Mediterranean.

Hundreds of American servicemen from the Saratoga and its escort ships disembarked at Haifa on Friday for Christmas leave. Some of those rescued were reported taken to the Saratoga.