Crews missing in Black Sea storm

Last Updated: Monday, 12 November 2007, 15:25 GMT

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Crews missing in Black Sea storm

Several vessels have run aground during the storm

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Rescuers are searching for 20 sailors missing after a powerful storm hit the Azov and Black Seas on Sunday.

Russian officials say four ships have sunk, including an oil tanker, and four others could break up. The bodies of three sailors have been found.

Up to 2,000 metric tons of fuel oil have leaked from the tanker in the Kerch Strait, which links the two seas.

A big clean-up operation is under way, amid fears of an environmental disaster in the region.

At least two other ships were carrying potentially hazardous cargos when they sank, including nearly 6,000 tons of sulphur.

A new storm warning in the region was issued again on Monday.