Rescuers have recovered eight sailors while two are still missing from a refrigerator ship on Sunday in the Okhotsk Sea in Russia's Far East, according to Russian Emergencies Ministry.

      The ship, PTR-WEST overturned and sank around 1.15 p.m., eight km (five miles) off the coast. 10 sailors and over 49 tonnes of general cargo were on its board. Previously it was reported that the whole crew had evacuated the ship in two life rafts.

      Later it was said that eight sailors were picked up from a raft to the rescue ship MRS-046 at night. The fate of two of the crew is still unknown, the search operation is underway.

      All found sailors are now in a good condition, they did not need an additional medical treatment and were sent home.

      A criminal case was opened following the shipwreck. Preliminary investigations say the incident could take place because of a wrong cargo's arrangement on the ship.