You're reading: Experts looking into cause of death of fishermen in Sea of Azov collision

Experts are looking into the cause of death of the four Ukrainian fishermen in the collision of their boat with a Russian Coast Guard ship in the Sea of Azov on July 17, the Donetsk railroad police department press service told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.

“An autopsy is being performed on the four bodies to identify the cause of their death. The fisherman who survived the accident is staying in Russia. Pre-trial investigation is checking the legality of the Ukrainian boat’s voyage and the purpose of the fishermen’s presence in the Sea of Azov,” the press service said.

The Ukrainian boat and the Russian Coast Guard ship collided off the coast of the town of Vorontsovka in the Sea of Azov at about 6 p.m. on July 17. The fishing boat capsized and four Ukrainians died. One crewmember was rescued.

The survivor underwent a surgical operation on July 19. He is staying at the Yeisk district hospital in the Russian Krasnodar territory.