A Russian general cargo vessel has run aground on a breakwater in the Japanese port of Sakata in a rough weather.
Unconfirmed reports say the hull of the Panama-flagged 7,000-dwt City (built 2002) was breached.
The 18 crew, comprised of 14 Russians and four Bangladeshis was evacuated by Japan Coast Guard helicopter.
Russian news agency Tass said the ship had originally left the Russian port of Nakhodka and arrived in Akita prefecture, located not far from Yamagata, where it was partly unloaded.
