MOSCOW, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least nine people died after two ships caught fire in the Kerch Strait following a possible explosion, Russia's Federal Agency of Maritime and River Transport (Rosmorrechflot) said Monday.
"According to preliminary information, an explosion occurred on board of one of the vessels. Later on, fire spread to the other ship," a Rosmorrechflot spokesman was quoted by Tass news agency as saying.
Rescuers have lifted the bodies of nine sailors from the water and rescued 14 others, the spokesman said.
A total of 31 sailors, including Turkish and Indian nationals, were reportedly on board the ships when the accident took place.
The search and rescue operation is under way.
According to Rosmorrechflot, the accident took place when fuel was pumped from one vessel to the other. Enditem
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