Moscow: At least 10 people were killed in a fire that broke out onboard two ships, both carrying Indian crew, near the Kerch Strait that separates Crimea and Russia, according to emergency officials. Preliminary information said the fire broke out on Monday night due to the failure of a fuel pump being used to transfer fuel between the two vessels -- Candy and Maestro -- in violation of security regulations governing such maneuvers, reports Efe news.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, Candy had a crew of 17 -- eight Indian nationals, nine Turkish citizens. While the Maestro carried a crew of seven Indians, seven Turkish and an intern from Libya.