Rescue workers on Thursday concluded a search of the waters around an oil rig that overturned five days ago in Russia's Far East, officials said.
“The active search has been called off because of an approaching strong cyclone to the area and a loss of the hope to find people alive,” the Transport Ministry said in a statement.
An ice-breaker and an Mi-8 helciopter were involved in the search, the Emergenices Ministry said.
The Kolskaya drilling rig was being towed in a severe storm when it overturned and sank some 200 km (125 miles) off Russia's Sakhalin Island early on Sunday. Of the 67 people onboard, 14 have been rescued and 36 more are listed as missing. The death toll now stands at 17.
The drilling rig, built in 1985 in Finland, was carrying out work under a contract with energy giant Gazprom. The rig, which is 69 meters long and 80 meters wide, can accommodate up to 102 people.
Arktikmorneftegazrazvedka, the company that owns the rig has said the families of each of those who perished in the tragedy will receive at least 3 million rubles ($93,640) in compensation.
