Two crew members die after cargo ship sinks in Black Sea

Turkish transport ministry said ship had 12 crew members, including two Russians and 10 Ukrainians

Pictured: the area of the black sea where the cargo ship sunk

(Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Two people have died after a cargo ship sank off the Black Sea coast in Turkey.

The governor of Bartin province announced the shipwreck off Inkumu in northern Turkey on Sunday, and have said that emergency workers had saved at least six crew members and found the bodies of two others.

The Turkish coastguard said the ship was called ARVIN and the vessel's surviving crew were on lifeboats, according to the official Anadolu news agency. The navy had sent a frigate to assist rescue efforts.

The Turkish transport ministry said the ship had 12 crew members, including two Russians and 10 Ukrainians.

No further comment has been given as to the safety of the other crew members.  

The vessel was en route to Bulgaria from Georgia but tried to reach the Turkish port of Bartin due to bad weather. The area has been buffeted by heavy rains, snow and strong winds.

Reports indicate the rescue mission is being hampered by the bad weather.  

The governor said the dry goods cargo ship was Palau-flagged, after incorrectly stating earlier on Sunday that it carried a Russian flag.