The Latest: Minor damage to freighter that hit Russian ship

ISTANBUL (AP) — The Latest on Russia navy ship damaged near Istanbul (all times local):

5:40 p.m.

Turkey’s transportation minister says that the Togo-flagged freighter involved in the collision with a Russian navy vessel has sustained very minor damage and is able to continue sailing.

Ahmet Arslan also told Turkey’s A Haber news channel that the collision in the Black Sea off Istanbul occurred in heavy fog. But he added that the exact cause is being investigated.

Arslan said: “There is only a slight damage on the freighter ship… It’s on the bow of the vessel but nothing to prevent it from navigating.”

Turkey’s private NTV television said the vessel was taking sheep from Romania to Jordan.

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4:40 p.m.

Turkey’s state-run news agency says the prime minister conveyed his “sadness” over a ship collision to his Russian counterpart through his aides, correcting an earlier report which said the two leaders had spoken on the phone.

The Anadolu Agency said Prime Minister Binali Yildirim’s aides contacted Dmitry Medvedev’s office to relay Turkey’s message on Thursday.

The Russian navy reconnaissance ship Liman sunk off Istanbul after colliding with a freighter. All of the Russian sailors are safe.

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3:10 p.m.

Turkey’s coastal safety authority says that a Russian navy reconnaissance ship has sunk off Istanbul after colliding with a freighter. All of the Russian sailors are safe.

Authorities say that all 78 personnel on the Russian vessel Liman are accounted for after it collided with the Togo-flagged freighter Youzarsif H. in the Black Sea. The safety authority says 15 Russian sailors had been rescued after the collision.

The freighter was carrying livestock and all of its crew is safe.

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2:30 p.m.

Russia’s defense ministry says a naval reconnaissance ship is in danger of sinking in the Black Sea after colliding with another vessel.

The ministry says the Liman has a hole as a result of the collision that occurred Thursday about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of the Bosphorus Strait.

The ministry statement, carried by Russian news agencies, says none of the crew members is hurt and they are trying to save the ship.

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