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Russian rescuers approach Norwegian tanker in distress in Barents Sea

The tanker is expected to be towed to the Varanger station in Norway

MURMANSK, October 8. /TASS/. The Purga, a multipurpose rescue vessel, has approached the Norwag Norwegian tanker in distress in the Barents Sea, the head of the Northern Expeditionary Unit of rescue and salvage operations of Russia’s Federal Fisheries Agency (Rosrybolovstvo), Anatoly Leontyev, said Thursday.

"The [rescue] operation is taking place in difficult storm conditions, but the situation is under complete control of the rescuers," Leontyev told TASS.

He said the rescue boat has 27 crewmembers, who are professionals.

The tanker remains dead in the water, with nets winding on its propeller and rudder. It has enough food and fresh water. No one has been injured, there’s no threat of oil products spill. The tanker is expected to be towed to the Varanger station in Norway. The tanker has five Russians, a Norwegian and a Pole on board.