Manngalore: A cargo ship carrying lots of hardware and consumer materials from Mangalore harbour to Laksha Dweepa on weekly errand on rough seas has gone missing, in view of a cyclone facing west coast in the last 3 days.

If (Al-Akhter) touched Amini island off the Lakshadweep coast, and has remained untraced on Monday (Nov 28).

Owner of this commercial vessel, Mustapha Shafi stated even search operations were prevented by a turbulent sea amid heavy rains and furious winds that lashed the archipelago since 3 days now.

Neither rescue helicopters, nor passing ships, could carry out search operations for the 20 years old ship, carrying several stocks, all worth Rs.40 lakhs. Shafi did not insure the vessel earlier, as the company did not co-operate, he added.

Between Sept 15 and May 15, he takes the ship to 11 islands of Lakshdweep, with loads of needy materials. Mangalore to Main Island. 6 crew members (one from Kerala and 5 from Jamnagar) are also missing with the vessel.