Ten killed in twin vessel fire in Russia's Kerch Strait

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - At least 10 people were killed when two vessels in the Kerch Strait were consumed by fire, Russia’s Federal Maritime and River Transport Agency announced Monday.

In a statement, the agency said the two vessels had burst into flame after one of them exploded while transferring its cargo of liquified gas to the other.

Both vessels, which together were carrying 31 sailors at the time of accident, had been sailing under the Tanzanian flag.

Many sailors reportedly jumped into the water to save themselves, while a rescue operation still remains underway.

The Kerch Strait links the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov.