Black Sea disaster: death toll reaches five

The body of another sailor from a cargo ship which sank in last weekend`s storm has been found in the Kerch strait, bringing the total death toll to five.

Four others are still missing and presumed dead.

The cost of environmental damage from Black Sea oil disaster has reached $US13 billion and may rise even higher. Solvents are now being used to try and break up the massive oil spill, with 7000 tonnes removed since last weekend.

Russian and Ukrainian emergency ministries have counted first losses caused by a strong storm in the Black sea and in the Sea of Azov.

Two of the ships which sank which were carrying cargos of granulated sulphur still have not been located.

Ecologists say it will take at least ten years to eliminate the effects of the storm.