Saudi coastguards rescue Sri Lankans

Saudi Arabia has said its coastguards have rescued 71 Sri Lankans from a ship which was drifting in the Red Sea for a week after an engine breakdown.

The Saudi news agency quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying that the ship, identified as the Blue Star Marine, had broken down in international waters and then drifted into Saudi waters off the south western region of Jazan.

The ministry said the rescued Sri Lankans are in good health and being looked after.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service