 Two days later, on January 18, Spanish citizens Imeldo Barreto León (41) and Epifanio López (39), were picked up by Japanese fishermen, having survived 20 days on a raft.MS "Berge Istra" was, like its sister ship which disappeared under similar circumstances four years later, an ore-bulk-oil carrier - a ship which could transport both oil and iron ore.Even 30 years later, the shipping company maintained secrecy with regards to the cause of the accident.