Russian ship with 17 sailors on board rams into rocks off Sakhalin

A Russian dredging vessel has rammed into rocks off the south-western coast of Sakhalin Island, trapping 17 sailors on board, a local emergencies official said on Wednesday, RIA Novosti reported.

The incident reportedly took place late on Tuesday near the island of Moneron, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Sakhalin.

The crew members will be evacuated on Wednesday by a helicopter, the official said, adding that a rescue ship is heading to the site of the incident.

There has been no information on a possible oil leak, he said.