ADVERTISEMENT
Russian oil tanker suffers explosion, 3 crew members missing
AP
Last Updated IST
Representative image. Credit: AFP File Photo
Representative image. Credit: AFP File Photo

A Russian oil tanker was hit by an explosion in the Sea of Azov and a rescue operation was underway on Saturday for three missing crew members, officials said.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry said the explosion on the General Azi Aslanov took place as the tanker was en route from the port of Kavkaz to the port of Rostov-on-Don. Authorities said 10 members of the tanker's 13-person crew have been rescued, while the remaining three were believed to have been thrown overboard by the blast.

Three rescue vessels were heading to the site to search for the missing crew.

ADVERTISEMENT

The tanker has tilted and efforts to stabilize the ship were underway.

Maritime officials said the tanker wasn't loaded and the explosion may have been triggered by flammable vapours left behind from the vessel's previous cargo.

ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 25 October 2020, 03:21 IST)