Boat carrying Myanmar aid sinks

YANGON, Myanmar, May 11 (UPI) -- A Red Cross boat carrying emergency aid supplies for the survivors of the Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar sank Sunday after hitting debris, officials said.

Red Cross official Joe Lowry said the boat had been traveling through the Irrawaddy Delta region, en route to the town of Mawlamyinegyun, when it hit debris and immediately began sinking with most of the aid supplies on board, CNN reported.

"The crew managed to get to the safety of an island, along with four Red Cross staff who were on the boat," Lowry said. "But we've lost most of the cargo."

Among the supplies being carried on the craft were nearly 5,000 liters of drinking water, 10,000 water purification tablets, nearly 100 bags of rice and other vital aid supplies.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials told CNN they had received permission to land one plane of supplies in Myanmar and hoped to send two more planeloads this week.

U.S. military officials are still trying to negotiate with junta leaders in Myanmar to facilitate distribution of aid to cyclone victims.