WASHINGTON, Nov 18: An Iraqi died and five others, including two Americans, were missing after an Iraqi oil-smuggling vessel, boarded by the US navy, sank in the Gulf, the Pentagon announced on Sunday.

“The ship started taking water and when it sank there were 14 sailors for the Iraqi crew and eight US (Navy) members,” said Pentagon spokesman Ben Owens.

He said the USS Peterson launched a rescue operation that recovered six US sailors and 10 from the cargo ship, which sank in the Gulf on Saturday.

“One Iraqi was recovered dead, three Iraqis are missing and two Americans are missing,” he said.—AFP