3 Russian citizens killed in shipwreck in South America

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced on Wednesday that three Russian citizens were killed in the shipwreck of the fishing vessel Argos Georgia off the Falkland Islands.

"According to the Falklands Coast Guard and the shipowner, there were eight Russians on board. Four survived, three died, and one is missing," Zakharova told a press conference in Moscow.

Media reports claim that at least six people died in the wreck of the Argos Georgia in the South Atlantic Ocean, including Russian crew members.

The accident was attributed to severe weather conditions, with the vessel unable to navigate in strong winds exceeding 65 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour) and waves up to seven meters (around 23 feet).

The ship, sailing under the flag of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha, signaled "uncontrolled flooding" on the evening of July 22. Some 14 people managed to get onto life rafts and were rescued by nearby ships.