MADRID, December 24. /TASS/. The Russian Embassy in Madrid remains in constant contact with the Spanish authorities on the incident involving the wreckage of Russia's Ursa Major cargo ship, the diplomatic mission told TASS.

"The embassy is investigating the circumstances surrounding the wreck of the Russian Ursa Major cargo ship 110 kilometers off the Spanish coast in neutral waters," the diplomatic mission said in a written statement. "We are maintaining constant contact with the Spanish authorities on this matter and keeping the situation under control," the embassy added. "We are prepared to provide any necessary assistance to the crew members if needed," the statement concluded.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry Crisis Management Center reported that the Ursa Major ship sank due to an explosion in the engine room.

According to the El Espanol newspaper, the ship wrecked in international waters between Spain's autonomous community of Murcia and Algeria. The vessel had departed from St. Petersburg approximately two weeks ago and was en route to the port of Vladivostok, where it was scheduled to arrive on January 22.