Tunis, Tunisia—Coast guard units recovered the bodies of three commercial fishermen this afternoon after their vessel capsized during severe gales off the northern Mediterranean coast.
High winds and towering waves battered the small wooden craft before it flipped completely over miles from the nearest port. Distress signals transmitted from the boat failed before a precise GPS location could be locked in by maritime authorities.
Local fishing cooperatives raised the alarm when the vessel missed its scheduled dawn return time. Naval patrol boats and rescue helicopters deployed immediately to sweep the choppy shipping lanes.
The sea conditions were completely unforgiving out past the headland, said coast guard commander Nabil Zouari. Our crews battled gale-force winds for hours to locate the hull.
Search teams spotted the overturned wreckage drifting half-submerged in the trough of heavy swells. Divers recovered three crew members trapped inside the cabin compartment shortly before dusk.
Families gathered at the fishing harbor waiting for official confirmation as rescue boats returned to port. Maritime unions have renewed calls for stricter weather advisory enforcement for small commercial vessels.
Port authorities have kept small craft warnings in place across the northern coastal sector as stormy conditions persist. Investigators are reviewing maritime radio logs to determine when the distress call was initiated.
The surviving vessel wreckage was towed into harbor late tonight for formal inspection.
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