RT quoted information from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations as saying that two oil product tankers sank in the Kerch Strait, the route connecting the Black Sea with the Azov Sea, in the early morning of December 15.
The Volganeft 212 and Volganeft 239 ships have issued emergency signals, requesting support in conditions of strong winds and large waves. The Russian Water Transport Agency said there were a total of 29 crew members on the two ships.
According to Russian media reports, large waves have hit oil tankers several kilometers off the Black Sea coast. The Volganeft 212 carrying more than 4,000 tons of fuel oil ran aground, while the Volgoneft 239 was drifting after being damaged.
The Mi-8 emergency rescue helicopter has sent response teams to the Kerch Strait to support the ships. However, their efforts have been hampered by worsening weather.
A rescue boat has also been dispatched to the area. The Ministry of Emergency Situations said that so far, 13 crew members of the two damaged tankers have been brought to safety and one death has been confirmed.
Initial findings show that one of the ships broke in half after the storm left it stranded. The Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office of Russia has announced that it is investigating the incident.
