A veteran passengership abandoned at a Spanish port for more than three years has sunk.

The 4,934-gt Panagia Parou (built 1996) suffered a hull breach at the stern after strong winds caused the vessel’s mooring ropes at the port of Algeciras to snap.

Water flooded into the ship, which began to sink in adverse weather conditions.

Port authorities launched a rescue operation to right the ship but efforts were unsuccessful.