The MV Arvin sank in heavy weather off the coast of the Turkish province of Bartın.

According to the Turkish government-run Anadolu Agency, rescue workers saved six of 12 crew members as of a day after the incident.

The Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure said in a statement the ship broke into two pieces and sank on 17 January at 1235. The statement said the ship anchored near the port of Bartın due to adverse weather conditions. The ministry’s search and rescue co-ordination centre contacted the shipping company’s headquarters in Ukraine and were informed there were 12 aboard.

The Arvin was heading to Burgas Port in Bulgaria.

The Palau-flagged vessel was built in 1976 and was 113 metres in length.