22 Jan 2019 11:59

Two Indian citizens killed in tanker fire in Black Sea identified

KRASNODAR. Jan 22 (Interfax) - Two of the sailors killed in a fire on board two vessels in the Black Sea have been identified, a spokesperson for Russia's Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport (Rosmorrechflot) told Interfax on Tuesday.

"The bodies of two sailors have been identified at this point. They are citizens of India," the spokesperson said.

Those rescued include eight Turkish citizens and two citizens of India, the spokesperson said.

The fire broke out aboard the vessels Candy and Maestro sailing under the flag of Tanzania, while they were anchored in the neutral waters. The scene is located 15 nautical miles from Cape Takil (Crimea) in the neutral waters.

The tankers were carrying liquefied gas, which they took on board in Temryuk (Krasnodar Territory). Turkish and Indian citizens were also aboard the vessels.

According to preliminary reports, the fire broke out when the vessels were in the process of transferring the cargo of liquefied natural gas from one of them to the other.

An informed source told Interfax that the tankers were handling the fuel under a quasi-legal scheme.

Russian investigators have opened a criminal inquiry following the death of people in the Black Sea.