New information is coming to light about the wreck of the cargo ship Raptor, which sank yesterday Sunday off Lesbos, with so far one dead, one rescued and 12 missing from its crew.

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According to information from the journalist Yannis Souliotis, the ship was blacklisted by international control authorities (Paris MOU & Black Sea MOU). 24 months ago it was found that the documents relating to the crew members were unauthorizedwhile there were also illegal entries in the Oil Record Book. The last element is interpreted as an indication that possibly had carried out illegal – undeclared routes, that is, he might be involved in smuggling.

As Yiannis Souliotis mentioned, the authorities’ suspicions are reinforced by the fact that the rescued sailor told Coast Guard officials that the ship’s final destination was Ukraine and that Istanbul was a refueling station.

Troubled Shipwreck History – Was shipwrecked in January 2022

It is noted that the above elements are under the microscope of the authorities. If applicable, they are probably also related to the fact that the crew, following the instructions of the ship’s owning company, did not call for help on Saturday, despite the fact that the ship was experiencing an inflow of water. Instead, he did so just a short time before his sinking.

Finally, the same shipping company also owned the Manassa Rose which also sank in the Gulf of Kissamos in Crete in January 2022, with the authorities then filing a case against crew members for causing a wreck but also transporting contraband tobacco products.