Four Russian fishermen dead as fire rages on trawler

Rescuers are battling a fire on a trawler ship off Russia's Sakhalin coast. The blaze started on Monday and killed four people. Another thirteen crew members have been successfully rescued.

The fire is now moving closer to the vessel's fuel tanks, which are carrying thirty tonnes of diesel.

The firefighters are struggling to contain the flames and cannot use water because of fears the boat might sink. The rescuers are attempting to tow it into shallow waters first.

The cause of the blaze is still unknown.

The trawler Vincent, sailing under the flag of Cambodia, was en route to Kenya. All the 17 crew members are Russian citizens.