Haiti official says evidence so far suggests wreck off north coast isn't Columbus ship

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haiti's culture minister says a shipwreck off the country's north coast probably isn't a lost flagship of Christopher Columbus as a U.S. explorer has claimed.

An analysis by experts from UNESCO is expected within days. But Culture Minister Monique Rocourt tells The Associated Press it appears unlikely that the ship is the Santa Maria.

Rocourt said in an interview Thursday that the remains on the sea floor near Cap-Haitien appear to be from a later ship.

Explorer Barry Clifford stands by his belief that he found what's left of the Santa Maria. He says he's heard the UNESCO report raises doubts about the claim he announced in May. The ship foundered on Christmas Day in 1492. It would be a major archaeological find if confirmed.