Powerful winter storm hits Russia's Olympic city Sochi

Three people are missing in Sochi after a powerful winter storm swept in off the Black Sea and severely damaged a port under construction in Russia's Olympic city.

The storm destroyed a pier and washed away construction equipment and materials.

A diving boat used in the construction capsized, but was towed ashore in the morning. The three crewmen were not aboard, despite hopes that they were in the boat's hold.

Rescuers began a search for the missing men on Tuesday morning, using a helicopter, tugs and motor boats.

Four building cranes, a drilling installation, a diesel power unit, and other equipment were washed away.

A floating platform Irben also used in the construction of the port sank during the storm, but three people aboard were rescued.

The construction company building the port, tycoon Oleg Deripaska's Transstroi, said it has not begun estimating the damage yet as the storm is continuing.