Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, October 28: A Russian and a Ukrainian seaman were found dead in their cabins on board the Atlantic Eland ship, docked in Richards Bay in South Africa, police have said.
Two other Russian seamen of the ship, sailing under the Maltese flag, were hospitalised, the online maritime bulletin Sovfracht reported. Poisoning is said to be the reason behind the tragedy, it said.
The crew of the Ro-Ro ship consists of 28 Russian and Ukrainian nationals, while the operator of the vessel is the Baltic Mercur Joint Stock company from St. Petersburg.
South African police have launched an investigation in connection with the death of the 57-year-old Russian and 46-year-old Ukrainian crew member.
The ship arrived in Richards Bay last week.
The consular department of the Russian Embassy to South Africa has no information on the accident.
The name of the ship earlier was Krasnodon and was renamed in 1996, when it sailed under the flags of Russia.
–Agencies