KRASNODAR, December 20. /TASS/. A ship with a crew of 16 sailors from Syria and Egypt has sent a distress signal near Port Kavkaz in the Kerch Strait, the Russian sailors’ union told TASS.

"We have received a request for assistance from the Gam Express. The situation is difficult: there is no food, no drinking water, and the sailors have not been paid since August. They sent an SOS signal and hope to enter the port. And it seems that they will have the chance to," the union said.

The ship flies the flag of Guinea Bissau. According to international law, the ship can be seized if wages are not paid.

The ship’s crew includes 15 Syrian citizens and one citizen of Egypt.