Russian Cargo Ship Capsizes at Korsakov Port, Crew Lost

On October 18, the Russian-flagged cargo ship Grigory Lovtsov overturned near Korsakov Port on Sakhalin Island, tragically resulting in the loss of several crew members.

The accident occurred during loading operations while the ship was docked at the port. After the vessel capsized, the Korsakov port authority quickly called for help from nearby ships, redirecting four vessels, including two tugboats, to assist with search and rescue efforts.

At the time of the incident, seven crew members were onboard. When the vessel began to list severely, three of them were thrown into the water. These crew members were rescued during the search operations, but they suffered from hypothermia after being exposed to the frigid sea. One has since been discharged from the hospital, while another remains in serious condition.

Unfortunately, the remaining four crew members were not immediately located. There are reports that two bodies have been recovered, although this has not yet been officially confirmed.

The ship has since been towed back to the port for further investigation. Authorities are inspecting the vessel for signs of the missing crew members and to assess the extent of the damage.

Preliminary findings from the Russian Marine Rescue Service suggest the capsizing was caused by improper loading of building materials. The regional governor has suggested that safety protocols may have been overlooked during the loading process.