A cargo ship sailing under the flag of Moldova suffered catastrophic structural damage after it tore in two and sunk near the Black Sea coast in Turkey, world media reported on January 19 2010.

The ship suffered severe damage from the bad weather in the region, which is also causing mayhem along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

Reportedly, the 21-strong crew were all plucked out of the cold waters by a Turkish rescue service of patrol boats and helicopters, Bulgarian Dnevnik daily reported. Among the crew were 17 Turkish nationals.

A mayday signal was sent from the sinking vessel at 9am Bulgarian time; shortly afterwards the Turkish coast guard and other rescue teams were mobilised and dispatched to the scene.

The ship, a 145 metre Orcum C, left Ukraine towards the Turkish port of Guven Foreland in Kilyos, nearly 30km north of Istanbul, reports say.

Once the hull broke in two and the distress signal was released, an initial attempt by helicopters and rescue ships to reach the beleaguered vessel and sailors failed because of severe winds and high waves, the Turkish Hurriyet Daily News reported.

It has been reported that oil has been leaking into the Black Sea since the break-up of the vessel.

Another incident was reported by the Turkish authorities as a Maltese ship requested assistance while leaving the Bosporus Strait for the Black Sea. Piper, a 82.5m ship, reported machine failure. Two rescue boats were dispatched to the scene and a rescue operation is still underway.