The two ships had 27 crew members on board when they called for help, the Russian Emergency Ministry has said
Two tankers carrying oil products are sinking in the Kerch Strait, connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov, according to the Russian Emergency Ministry.
The Volganeft 212, with 13 people on board, and the Volganeft 239 with a crew of 14, sent out distress signals and requested assistance amid turbulent weather, with high winds and powerful waves.
According to Russian media reports, powerful waves struck the tankers several kilometers off the Black Sea coast. One of them, reportedly carrying more than 4,000 tons of fuel oil, was damaged. An hour later, the second vessel was also hit by large waves.
Emergency helicopters with rescuers on board flew to the Kerch Strait area to assist the vessels.
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