Russian Storm Claims Four More Ships

A violent storm which tore apart a Russian oil tanker yesterday has sunk four ships sparking a massive rescue and clean-up operation, Russian officials have announced.

The Russian oil tanker Volganeft-139 came apart after it was smashed by five metre waves in the Kerch Strait waterway, between Russia and the Ukraine.

Today four other ships have sunk in the Russian waters where rescuers are currently searching for eight missing sailors, according to the BBC.

At least two of the sunken ships are believed to have been carrying potentially hazardous cargo and environmentalists fear the tanker - which has leaked large quantities of heavy oil into the sea - could spark an environmental disaster.

Three bodies reported to be from the stricken ships were found this morning, according to Russian media reports.

Weather forecasters have warned of another possible storm in the area later today.

By staff writer