Ten killed in twin vessel fire in Kerch Strait

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW

At least 10 people were killed when two vessels in the disputed Kerch Strait were consumed by fire, Russia’s Federal Maritime and River Transport Agency announced Monday.

In a statement, the agency said the two vessels had burst into flame after one of them exploded while transferring its cargo of liquified gas to the other.

Both vessels, which together were carrying 31 sailors at the time of the accident, had been sailing under the Tanzanian flag.

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party spokesman Omer Celik said that according to information received by the Turkish Embassy in Moscow, 16 of 31 crew members on the ships were Turkish citizens.

Celik said initial reports showed the ships were sailing under the Tanzanian flag, but the owners are likely Turkish.

The spokesman added that Turkey closely follows activities of the Russian search and rescue teams and the situation regarding the Turkish citizens.

Many sailors reportedly jumped into the water to save themselves, while a rescue operation still remains underway.

The Kerch Strait links the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov.