500 seamen stranded in icebound Russian ships
MOSCOW (AP) - A Russian icebreaker is laboring through howling winds and heavy snow as it tries to reach icebound ships in the Sea of Okhotsk where more than 500 seamen are trapped.
Three of the vessels have been trapped since Friday in ice estimated at 6 1/2 feet thick. The state news agency Ria Novosti said two more ships became stuck Monday.
The Sea of Okhotsk is an arm of the Northern Pacific west of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.
A statement from the transport ministry said there was no immediate danger to the crews, who have sufficient food and water. The ministry said an icebreaker was expected to reach their vicinity early Thursday.
Ria Novosti quoted a local coast guard official as saying winds were up to more than 65 mph.
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