The Russian tanker "Vologoneft-212" with a crew of 13 people has sent a distress signal around the Kerch Strait, the Russian Emergencies Ministry reported, quoted by TASS, BTA writes.
The tanker, which is carrying 4 tons of fuel oil, was caught in a sea storm and has its bow torn off, and the crew is in the stern of the ship.
“Another sea vessel in the area - the tanker "Volgoneft-239" - was also damaged. It is also carrying 4 tons of fuel oil. "There are 14 crew members on board," a rescue service official told TASS. The second tanker is drifting towards the city of Taman.
A Mi-8 helicopter of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and the rescue tugboat "Mercury" were sent to help the distressed ships, TASS noted.