Russian Trawler Malakhit Sank In Barents Sea

From: ITAR-TASS: Murmansk-registered trawler is in distress in Barents Sea

The Murmansk Region centre of the Ministry for Emergencies received the first distress message at 05:00 Moscow time on Wednesday.

A helicopter that took off from Norway in aid to the 20 fishermen, who abandoned the ship, is expected to arrive at the distress area by 09:00 Moscow time. The rescue tugboat Purga has also been sent from here to help the crew of the ship in distress, an officer on duty at the regional rescue centre has told Itar-Tass.

The duty officer said the trawler had encountered a severe storm. Water began to penetrate the ship after waves swept over the deck and ripped off the hatch of the hold.