Two Russian oil tankers with 29 crew members on board have been heavily damaged in the Black Sea, triggering an oil spill, authorities in Russia have said.
Footage released by Russia's Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office showed one of the tankers broken in half and sinking amid a heavy storm, with streaks of oil visible in the water.
At least one crew member was reportedly killed.
The second ship was said to have drifted after sustaining damage and conflicting reports suggested it may have later run aground.
The incident took place in the Kerch Strait, which separates Russia from Crimea - the Ukrainian peninsula illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014.
A rescue and clean-up operation is said to be under way involving tugboats, helicopters and more than 50 personnel.
Source : BBC
