Vessel in Kerch strait sends distress signal, Russian authorities say

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A vessel called Gam Express has sent a distress signal in the Kerch strait, Russia's Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office said on Friday.

"The Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office controls the safety of navigation in connection with the sending of a distress signal by the Gam Express vessel in the Kerch Strait," it said a statement posted on Telegram messaging app.

Interfax news agency said, citing a Russian sailors' union, that the ship sent the signal due to a delay in payment of salaries and a lack of food.

"The crew just haven't had their wages for three months, and there's no food. Food was last delivered to them on board on the 16th of November, it's all gone... That's why they're signalling," Interfax cited the Russian Seafarers' Trade Union as saying.

The Kerch strait connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and is a major shipping route.

(Reporting by Reuters. Editing by Jane Merriman)

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