IRNA – Iranian oil tanker ‘Sanchi’ did not breach any security protocol, General Director of Panama Directorate Merchant Marine Department said.


“There was no initial sign that the stricken ship was in breach of any security protocols,” Reuters quoted Fernando Solorzano as saying on Friday.

“It had all the valid technical certificates on board and the financial guarantees required under international agreements,” Solorzano had already told Reuters on Thursday.

Head of Chinese rescue team also told reporters on Friday that they had investigated almost all parts of the Iranian oil tanker except the anti-piracy safe room and due to the toxic gases, entering the safe room was impossible.

30 Iranian and two Bangladeshi sailors, who were members of the Sanchi crew, were killed because of toxic gases and the huge size of the fire which embraced the tanker since the ship collided with a Chinese freighter in the East China Sea on Jan 6. All rescue efforts were in vain and the tanker sank on Jan 15.