<p class="bodytext">A Russian oil tanker was hit by an explosion in the Sea of Azov and a rescue operation was underway on Saturday for three missing crew members, officials said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Russian Emergencies Ministry said the explosion on the General Azi Aslanov took place as the tanker was en route from the port of Kavkaz to the port of Rostov-on-Don. Authorities said 10 members of the tanker's 13-person crew have been rescued, while the remaining three were believed to have been thrown overboard by the blast.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Three rescue vessels were heading to the site to search for the missing crew.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The tanker has tilted and efforts to stabilize the ship were underway.</p>.<p>Maritime officials said the tanker wasn't loaded and the explosion may have been triggered by flammable vapours left behind from the vessel's previous cargo.</p>
<p class="bodytext">A Russian oil tanker was hit by an explosion in the Sea of Azov and a rescue operation was underway on Saturday for three missing crew members, officials said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Russian Emergencies Ministry said the explosion on the General Azi Aslanov took place as the tanker was en route from the port of Kavkaz to the port of Rostov-on-Don. Authorities said 10 members of the tanker's 13-person crew have been rescued, while the remaining three were believed to have been thrown overboard by the blast.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Three rescue vessels were heading to the site to search for the missing crew.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The tanker has tilted and efforts to stabilize the ship were underway.</p>.<p>Maritime officials said the tanker wasn't loaded and the explosion may have been triggered by flammable vapours left behind from the vessel's previous cargo.</p>