Tug Boat Sinks off Northern Yakutia, 11 People Missing

VLADIVOSTOK. August 27. VOSTOK-MEDIA – Sea-river type tug boat Alexey Kulakovsky has been reported sinking off the northern Yakutia coast earlier today.

The vessel is said to have had 14 crew members on board.

A massive search and rescue operation was launched at the tug boat sinking site shortly after the incident was reported.

The captain and two seamen were picked up by passing tanker Lena Neft. Their condition is reported as satisfactory.

A team of rescuers, officers at Tiksi Emergency Situations Department, a Mi-8 helicopter with paramedics on board and two vessels are presently heading to the scene of accident.

The search for the rest missing sailors continues, an Emergency Situations Ministry spokesman said.