The Israel Navy investigated today the circumstances under which a Lebanese fishing boat collided with an Israeli naval vessel. Israeli sailors rescued seven Greek members of the fishing boat but an eighth member of the crew could not be found. Israel reported the incident to the Israel-Lebanese Mixed Armistice Commission.
A government spokesman said that the Israeli vessel observed the boat traveling with out any identification flag, which is a violation of international maritime law, in an area known to be a route for drug smuggling. As the Israeli ship approached the fishing boat, it suddenly veered course and collided with the Israeli vessel and sank. Two of the rescued sailors were treated in Haifa hospital. They said their base was in Beirut.
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