Livestock vessel catches fire off Somalia coast

BOSSASO, Somalia, June 14, 2015 (Garowe Online)-A commercial boat loaded with heads of livestock developed smoke immediately after leaving a port in Somalia’s northeastern state of Puntland, Garowe Online reports.

Sources close to the businessmen whose livestock shipment caught fire said, the bulls and bucks aboard got charred in the accidental boat blaze.

Government officials couldn’t be reached for comments, but the fate of crew members remains unknown.

Initial reports disclose that crews are being disembarked. Destined to United Arab Emirates (UAE), the smoke is believed to have billowed from engine compartment.

In September 2013, a boat with 1200 Ton consignment, and chartered by Puntland businessmen sank off between Somalia and Oman.

In a report released by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Somalia registered a record 5 million livestock for the first time in the last 20 years in 2014.