18 Feared Drowned in Trawler Sinking

STORNOWAY, Scotland — A French trawler sank in stormy North Atlantic seas between Scotland and Iceland early Friday, and rescue officials said at least 18 people are feared to have drowned.

Gale-whipped sleet and snow hampered rescue attempts but nine people were saved by other vessels, rescue officials said. Two bodies were also recovered, they said.

Sixteen people were still missing, they said.

The victims are believed to include one crewman from a rescue vessel who went overboard trying to help the stricken 640-ton Dieppe-registered Snekkar Arctic, they said.