The bodies of 20 Iraqi sailors have been recovered after their ship sank following a collision off the country's southern coast, the transport ministry said on Thursday.

The Al-Misbar sank in Iraqi waters on Saturday following the collision with a foreign-flagged vessel, after which eight sailors were rescued and the bodies of four others found.

The ministry said in a statement that 16 more bodies were found when the ship was raised on Thursday.

Iraqi authorities have ordered the foreign vessel impounded following the collision, which took place in the Khor Abdullah maritime canal between Iraq and Kuwait.

Maritime traffic, which had been interrupted since Saturday due to salvage efforts, had resumed, authorities said.

Source: AFP