Barents Sea claims Russian fishing vessel
Search-and-Rescue services looking for at least 16 people after Russian trawler, the Onega, sinks in the Arctic Circle.
The Tass news agency has reported the loss of a trawler in the Barents Sea. At least 16 people are feared dead, and five rescue vessels are searching for the missing crew members. According to initial reports, says the agency, there are only two survivors.
“According to the preliminary data, there are no survivors apart from two rescued sailors. The frozen vessel sank instantly during a storm, leaving practically no chance for anyone to be saved in the freezing waters,” TASS’ source noted.
Reports were received at 0730 local-time that the Onega had sunk near Russia’s Novaya Zemlya in the Arkhangelsk Region. The two rescued fisherman who were both wearing immersion suits. Ice build-up is cited as the reason for the vessel foundering.
