Fire breaks out on Russian vessel off Hokkaido coast

A fire has occurred on board the Russian fishing vessel Arina in the Sea of Japan, off the coast of Hokkaido, near the city of Wakkanai.

Japanese maritime authorities told Russian media that the incident was reported yesterday. No further information on the extent of the damage has been released, and all 30 Russian crew members are reported to be safe.

The incident took place approximately 145 kilometres south-west of Cape Noshappu.

Built in 1988 and registered in Vladivostok, the Arina is operated by the company Dalnevostochny Rybak and is primarily used for crab fishing.

According to Marine Traffic, the vessel was en route to Tokyo at the time of the fire.

By Aghakazim Guliyev