Another tanker was also in distress after sustaining damage, Russian officials said. At least one person was killed.

An oil tanker has split in half after facing stormy weather near Crimea, prompting a desperate rescue mission to save the crew members on board. The two cargo ships were left severely damaged following bad weather in the Kerch Strait,

Two Russian oil tankers have been damaged following a storm in the Kerch Strait, spilling oil and sparking an emergency rescue operation, Russian officials say.