Maritime Accident News

Empty lifeboats found from sunken Russian oil rig

Four lifeboats and an inflatable raft have been found by rescuers searching for at least 39 persons still missing from a capsized oil rig off the east coast of Russia. The State Sea Rescue Coordination Center said all of the boats were empty, though the emergency lights were on in one of the boats.

There were 67 men aboard the Kolskaya platform which sank from a big wave as it was being towed in a vicious storm at approximately 4 p.m. Sunday.

14 persons were rescued immediately. 11 bodies have recovered and three objects that could be bodies have been seen but not yet retrieved, says the Emergencies Ministry.

Officials say that time may be running out to find more survivors with rough conditions and 33 degree Farenheit temperatures in the Sea of Okhotsk.

The accident occurred approximately 125 miles from land.

Source: Associated Press

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