Black Sea Storm Sinks Five Ships, Kills Two Sailors

Russian state media reports say at least two sailors are dead and 23 others are missing after a powerful storm sank at least five ships in waters between Russia and Ukraine Sunday.

The storm smashed apart a Russian oil tanker anchored between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, spilling two-thousand metric tons of fuel oil into the Kerch Strait off Ukraine. Thirteen crew members trapped aboard a section of the Volganeft-139 were rescued late Sunday.

Russian officials are calling the oil spill an environmental disaster that could take several years to clean up.

The storm also sank four other cargo ships, killing two sailors. Officials say three of the ships were carrying sulfur.

Prosecutors have opened an investigation into possible criminal charges.

The Kerch Strait is a major migration route for birds and is also home to porpoises.

by VOA News

Net News Publisher