The Comores-flag freighter "Morelia" sank for as yet unknown reasons near the entrance of the bay of Argos, near the island of Spetses, while carrying roughly 800 crates of contraband cigarettes.

The ship and its contraband cargo sank on Thursday night. It had set sail from the Cyprus port of Limassol, in the occupied northern part of the island, bound for Montenegro. It was spotted and pursued by coast guard forces in seas south of Spetses and shortly afterward issued a distress signal. The crew, made up of six Ukrainians and one Georgian national, reported that water was leaking rapidly into the engine room.

The ship sank, in spite of salvage efforts, and the crew was rescued and taken on board the coast guard vessel. They will now be taken before a public prosecutor to face charges.