DOHA: At least 12 Nepalis have been missing after a ship bound for Doha of Qatar from Dubai of UAE was lost in the sea on Tuesday morning. According to news report published by Gulf times, the ship that left Dubai yesterday morning has been out of contact. Among the 34 people on board, 24 were workers of HBK company, two were workers of a catering company and nine were crew members. Among the missing 29 people, 12 are Nepalis, 11 Indians and one Bangladeshi national, according to the company. During search and rescue operation, five people were rescued alive and one was found dead last night, while the condition of the remaining people is unknown, according to the daily. The rescued workers have been sent to the hostel of the company after preliminary treatment.

Reports said the ship was lost at 6:30 am and the incident was reported to Doha at 7:00 am, according to an official at internal affairs ministry of Qatar. Sources said Qatar Air Force and emergency health service officials have intensified search and rescue mission by using helicopters used in emergency health services. Nepali ambassador to Qatar Dr Surya Nath Mishra said no official information was received at the embassy till 9:25 am this morning. He said the embassy could receive official information by noon today. Reports quoted an official at Indian embassy in Qatar as saying that there were 19 Indians and the rest Bangladeshi and Nepali nationals in the ship.