The head of Iran's Maritime and Port Organization said on Friday that one of the country's cargo ships sank in the waters of Iraq, whereas one crew member died in the accident and two people, including an Indian, are missing.

The head of the organization Nader Pasandeh, told the news agency that the cargo ship left from Umm Qasr port in Iraq to Khurram Shahr in Iran's southwest on Tuesday, he said it sank on Thursday in Khor Abdullah, a narrow route separating Iraq from Kuwait.

Officials said that it is not yet known why the ship sank, whereas seven crew members were aboard. Pasandeh said Iran has talked to Iraq to send a team of maritime experts to the scene. They further said that the ship was loaded with construction material and ceramic. According to the transport ministry, four crew members were rescued and one body was exhumed, whereas the remaining members are being searched.