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Venezuelan authorities confirmed Friday that nine people who had earlier been reported missing were killed after a fire broke out on a Greek-flagged ship.
"The commander of the ship is confirming to us that the nine people missing were killed," said Carlos Aniasi, commander general of the Venezuelan Navy, on state television station VTV.
Aniasi said the bodies of the dead sailors were found by their crewmates "in various sections" of the "Aegan Wind," a Greek cargo ship.
"We do not know the circumstances of their deaths, whether they were asphyxiated or whether it they were burned," Aniasi added.
Five other crew members sustained injuries, including one who was said to be in a serious condition and was transferred to Caracas for medical care.
