Rescue efforts for 3 in sunken cargo ship continue

BARTIN, Turkey

Search and rescue efforts for three missing people are underway after a Palau-flagged cargo ship sank off the coast of Turkey's Black Sea province of Bartin on Sunday, an official said on Monday.

Bartin Governor Sinan Guner told Anadolu Agency that because of a snowstorm naval units could not be deputed for search and rescue activities.

"We continue search and rescue activities by land, but by air and sea it is not possible. We will activate a helicopter at the earliest when the weather is appropriate. We are not currently stopping search activities," Guner said.

Guner noted six personnel rescued on Sunday are in good health and will be discharged after the diplomatic process.

According to the governorship, one of the bodies was identified as Captain Galenko Witaly, 37, a Russian citizen.

Another three crew members on board the Arvin were spotted in a rocky area and rescue teams were trying to reach the location by land, he said.

The Arvin with 12 crew members on board was heading to Burgas Port in Bulgaria before the accident.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan