Iranian cargo ship in distress in Caspian Sea

An Iranian cargo vessel, Caspian Shiva, en route to the port of Makhachkala, is in distress in the Caspian Sea after reportedly suffering a breach of unknown origin.

The vessel subsequently ran aground and began taking on water, with seawater flooding the engine room and cargo hold, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

There are ten crew members on board, with no injuries reported at this stage.

Rescue operations are currently on hold due to severe weather, with waves reaching up to two metres. Several tugboats from Rosmorport have been put on standby to assist when conditions allow.

By Aghakazim Guliyev