All news
Updated at: 

One Russian saved from sunken ship, another one missing, Russian embassy in Turkey says

He is in a stable condition, his life is out of danger, spokeswoman for the Russian embassy in Turkey Irina Kasimova noted

ANKARA, January 17. /TASS/. One Russian crewmember of the Ukrainian dry cargo vessel that sank in the Black Sea off Turkey’s coast was among those saved. He is in a stable condition, Irina Kasimova, a spokeswoman for the Russian embassy in Turkey, told TASS on Sunday.

"According to official data, among the 12 crewmembers of the Avrin vessel that sank in the Black Sea ten are Ukrainian nationals and two are citizens of Russia. A Russian national was among the six rescued crewmembers. Currently, he is at a hospital in the city of Bartin. He is in a stable condition, his life is out of danger. The other Russian national is missing," she said.

According to a source close to the rescue operation, six crewmembers are still missing. "The search and rescue operation has been suspended because of the bad weather and the coming of nighttime," it said.

Kasimova also said that Russian diplomats had visited the rescued Russian national at a Bartin hospital. He told them that the deadly accident had occurred because of the bad weather. "He was offered consular assistance. Articles of daily necessity were bought for him. Russian diplomats also helped Ukrainian sailors to get in touch with their families. We want to thank the Turkish authorities for measures taken to rescue the crew," she added.

The Arvin dry cargo ship sank near Turkey’s Inkumu, Bartin Province, on Sunday afternoon after being hit by a high wave. There were 12 crewmembers aboard. According to Russia’s Se and River Transport Agency, two of the crewmembers were Russian nationals. The vessel is owned by a Ukrainian company. According to the Ukrainian foreign ministry, six crewmembers, including one Russian national, were rescued.