Four killed after Palau-flagged cargo ship sinks off Turkey's Black Sea coast

(This article has been corrected for ship flag, updated with death toll)

At least four crew members were killed when a Palau-flagged freight ship sank off Turkey's northern Black Sea coast on Sunday, Diken news site reported on Sunday.

Rescue workers discovered the bodies of crew members of the ship, Arvin, which sunk off northern Bartın province's Inkumu coast, it said.

Another six crew members were rescued while efforts are ongoing to find the remaining two people, according to the agency.

Turkey’s Defence Ministry has announced that a frigate belonging to the Naval Forces Command has been assigned to assist search and rescue efforts.

The Russian Embassy in Turkey thanked the Turkish authorities for rescuing the Arvin's crewmates, including one Russian national who was the ship's senior technician. Another Russian on board has not been found.

Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's ambassador in Ankara, tweeted his thanks to Turkey for its assistance. Ten Ukrainians were onboard the Arvin when it sunk, an five were saved. 

The cause of the sinking is not known at this time.