A cargo ship from the United Arab Emirates sank off the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf on Thursday.

16 of the 30 crew members were rescued shortly after the accident, as an Iranian official told the Tasnim news agency.

The search for the 14 other crew members was still ongoing.

According to Iranian sources, the cargo ship was transporting cars and sank 50 kilometers from the port city of Assalujeh in the Iranian province of Bushehr.

The ship sank in bad weather, officials from the provincial authorities in Bushehr told the Irna news agency.

According to him, three lifeboats were sent to the scene of the accident, where the castaways with life jackets were floating in the water.

The Iranian weather service warned on Wednesday about strong winds and high waves in the region.

The Iranian authorities did not initially provide any information on the name and port of destination of the ship.