54 dead as Russian fishing trawler sinks

A Russian fishing trawler sank in just minutes in the icy waters of the Pacific ocean near the Kamchatka Peninsula early April 2.

As many as 54 of the 132 people on board were killed, rescue workers and investigators said. Thirteen others were missing.

The 100-meter (330-foot) trawler went down in just 15 minutes after encountering trouble, investigators said. Despite the speed at which The Dalny Vostok sank, 63 people were rescued by nearby fishing boats.

Rescued crew members reported that the ship was unstable due to empty fuel tanks and a lack of ballast. It tipped over when a fishing net weighing 80 tons was pulled in, said Oleg Kozhemyako, acting governor of the nearby Sakhalin region.

Those saved had managed to get into lifeboats and some had put on wet suits, rescue workers said.

 

 

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