A search for six sailors who are missing following the sinking of a tugboat in the Laptev Sea has been suspended because of heavy fog, a local emergencies spokesman said.

The Alexei Kulakovsky tugboat carrying 14 crewmembers sank 20 miles off the town of Tiksi in the Sakha republic on August 27. Three crewmembers were saved after a tanker rushed to the sinking tugboat, and five dead bodies were recovered.

The rescue operation has been suspended since Sunday as high waves and poor visibility in the water made it impossible for divers to inspect the sunken vessel, the spokesman said.

The Kapital Babichev ice-breaker involved in rescue efforts has temporarily returned to the port of Tiksi, he said.

On Monday, air temperature in the area is 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) and water temperature is 4 degrees Celsius (39.2 degrees Fahrenheit), he added.

VLADIVOSTOK, September 6 (RIA Novosti)