Photo taken on Feb. 3, 2006 shows Safaga City Council in Egypt to which port ferry Al Salam 98, sunk in the Red Sea, headed.

    CAIRO, Feb. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- An Egyptian ferry with 1,300 people on board from the Saudi port of Dhaba to Safaga on Egypt's Red Seacoast has disappeared from radar screens off the Saudi coast,Egyptian maritime officials in Suez said Friday.

    The ship "Salaam 98" with 1,300 passengers, 22 cars, 16 trucks aboard disappeared from the Radar screens in the Red Sea off the Saudi coast shortly after set out at 7 p.m. local time (17:00 GMT)on Thursday night, said the officials.

    The ship was due to have arrived at 3 a.m. (1:00 GMT), but didnot, the officials added. 

    Saudi and Egyptian naval vessels and helicopters are conducting a search for the ship.

    The ship is owned by the Egyptian company El-Salaam Maritime Transport Co. and most of the passengers on board are believed to be Egyptian pilgrims returning from the Saudi holy city of Mecca.Enditem