An MSC very-large boxship hit a fishing vessel between Peru and Ecuador leaving five dead and six missing.

The 13,100 teu MSC Regulus collided with the Ecuadorian fishing boat Don Gerardo II 275 miles from Manta in international waters on 17 December. Of the crew of 23 onboard the fishing vessel five are reported to be dead, six missing and 12 were rescued. Search and rescue efforts are continuing for the six missing in the collision.

The MSC Regulus was enroute from the port of Callao in Peru to the port of Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico when the accident occurred.

The MSC vessel were reported to have started search and rescue procedures while injured crew rescued from the fishing boat were treated onboard ship.

"As a family-owned company, MSC is deeply distressed by the injured and the people who have died," MSC was reported as saying by local press.

Source: seatrade-maritime.com