Kolskaya oil platform capsizes
The Russian oil platform, Kolskaya, has capsized and sunk in storm conditions in the ice bound Sea of Okhotsk, in Russia's Far East. 14 crew members were rescued immediately but despite a multi vessel air and sea search, 53 remain missing with little hope of survival in the 1C sea. The platform was being towed off Sakhalin Island when a strong wave broke portholes and equipment on the rig causing it to list and capsize. Questions are being asked about the number of crew onboard as under Russian law only a minimal number of crew members are permitted to be onboard during any movement and at least 14 on the platform appear to have been 'passengers'.