Bahamas boat crash kills four

The crippled passenger ferry was towed to nearby Nassau

A collision between a cargo ship and ferry boat off the Bahamian island of Eleuthera has killed four people and injured at least 16, the US Coast Guard says.

The Sea Hauler ferry was carrying about 195 people on its regular route to Cat Island from Nassau when it collided at around 0130 (0530 GMT)with the cargo vessel, United Star which had a crew of six.

Coast Guard rescuers, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Royal Bahamas Police searched for about seven unaccounted for people in deep waters nine miles (15 kilometres) southwest of Eleuthera island.

Sixteen people were evacuated by helicopter from the scene to medical facilities in the Bahamian capital, Nassau, officials said.

US Coast Guard units sent out ships, an airplane and helicopters from Florida to aid rescue efforts.

The identities and nationalities of the victims have not been released.

Bahamas' Central Detective Unit is now investigating the collision between the 32 metre (98ft) ferry and the 53 metre (178ft) cargo vessel.