Two ships collide just outside Israel's northern port of Haifa

Two ships collide just outside Israel's northern port of Haifa

Two ships collided near the port of Haifa late Thursday. One of the ships sank (photos), and 14 of its sailors were rescued, but two were missing.

Moshe Weizman, a spokesman for the Haifa coast guard, said searches were in progress. "There was a collision by and Israeli merchandise vessel and a Cypriot ship," he said. No one was hurt aboard the Cypriot ship.

Media reports said all the sailors on the stricken Israeli ship were foreign.

The Israeli ship was cut in two and sank after the Cypriot vessel crashed into it, Israeli media reported. The Israeli military sent helicopters, ships and doctors to help with the search and rescue operation, the military said in a statement.