The Lebanese army says at least four people have died and dozens are still missing after a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship carrying cattle sank in stormy weather, AP reported.
The army said Friday that 38 of the 83 crew members have been rescued and that four bodies have been retrieved. Rescue operations are continuing despite high waves.
The ship was believed to have been sailing from Uruguay to Syria.
Andrea Tenenti, a spokesman for the UNIFIL peacekeeping force, identified the vessel as the Danny F II.
It went down Thursday afternoon some 11 miles (17 kilometers) from the Lebanese port city of Tripoli.
The crew members were from Britain, Australia, Russia, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Uruguay, the state-run National News Agency reported.
Lebanon: 4 dead so far in cargo ship sinking
