Four crew members remain missing after the small general cargo ship Grigory Lovtsov capsized near Korsakov port at the southern end of Sakhalin Island, in Russia’s Far East.
Russian authorities reported that three crew members were rescued, though all are suffering from hypothermia.
The Grigory Lovtsov, a 41-meter, 200-dwt vessel that has operated in Russia since 2010, was carrying a crew of seven.
Sakhalin Oblast Governor Valery Limarenko stated on Telegram that he suspects the vessel was overloaded with sand and gravel cargo.
Authorities believe the cargo shifted during transit, destabilizing the ship and causing it to capsize on the afternoon of October 18.
Three crew members were thrown overboard as the ship overturned, with search and rescue teams quickly recovering them from the water.
There is an unconfirmed report that two bodies were later found during the ongoing search efforts. The incident has raised questions regarding potential lapses in safety procedures onboard.
