Lifeboats found empty in search for Russian crew

[December 20, 2011]  MOSCOW (AP) -- Rescuers say they found four lifeboats and an inflatable life raft in the frigid water near where an oil rig capsized off Russia's eastern coast, but all of the boats were empty.

The search continues for at least 39 people still missing more than two days after the rig sank in the Sea of Okhotsk, but time appears to be running out.

Of the 67 men aboard, 14 were rescued immediately. The Emergencies Ministry says 11 bodies have been recovered and three objects that may be bodies have been spotted but not yet retrieved.

The State Sea Rescue Coordination Center said Tuesday all the lifeboats were empty, though in one of the boats the emergency lights were on.

The Kolskaya floating platform was being towed in a fierce storm when it was hit by a strong wave.

[Associated Press]

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