A powerful storm broke in two a Moldova-flagged cargo vessel off the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi in the early hours of Sunday, a local emergencies service's spokesman said.

The Aras-1 ship, with 37 tonnes of diesel fuel inside, was thrown by waves onto a beach, Yuri Fomin said.

All 13 crew members were rescued, he said.

There has so far been no information on a possible oil spill.

SOCHI, December 20 (RIA Novosti)