Today, at about 4:30 a.m. (Moscow time), at the port of Makhachkala, an explosion occurred in the engine room of M/V VF Tanker-16 followed by smoke spreading to the accommodation spaces of the superstructure.
Out of 12 crew members, nine were evacuated including three who have been taken to medical centers.
The fire has been contained.
After the arrival of the Emergency and Disaster Response (EDR) team three persons were pronounced dead on scene.
Special services are on site and the investigation is underway.
According to the statement of the Emergency and Disaster Response Ministry, there is no risk of an oil spill in the port of Makhachkala.
The company will provide all possible assistance with the investigation of the causes of the accident and the situation in the water area.