Search Continues For Missing Trawler Crew

Irish authorities resumed their search on Wednesday for seven crewmen missing from a Spanish trawler, which perished off the west coast of Ireland on Tuesday, but said hopes of finding them alive were fading.

"At this stage it has to be said that our hopes are receding as time goes on," a Marine Department spokesman said.

Four bodies were pulled from the water on Tuesday after the Spanish-owned, UK-registered Arosa, a 108 ft. (36-m) fishing trawler, ran aground on rocks off the County Mayo coast. Two other men were winched to safety but one later died. The spokesman said the search by boat and helicopter had resumed at first light. A low-level helicopter sweep of the area had revealed debris and lifejackets but no signs of life, he added. The missing men are Spanish and African nationals. The tragedy is the second in the area this week and occurred just hours after rescuers called off their search for eight crewmen missing from a French trawler that sank on Sunday.