Cambodia-flagged ship rescued, arrives in Russia's Far East port

The Cambodia-flagged cargo ship with 24 Russians on board, which had been stranded in the Sea of Japan, arrived in Russia's Far East port of Vladivostok on Sunday, a local sea rescue center official said.

The MV Victor freighter carrying a shipment of Japanese-made cars transmitted a distress signal shortly after leaving the Japanese port of Otaru for Vladivostok on Thursday.

On Friday, two Russian tugboats arrived at Victor's location about 40 nautical miles from the Russian coast to tow the ship in distress to the nearest port.

A Russian coast guard patrol vessel earlier arrived in the area to monitor the ship's condition and to ensure the safety of 19 crew members and five passengers.

A rescue operation was successfully carried out despite high waves and a severe snow storm, which swept over the Sea of Japan.

"On Sunday, at 9:30 a.m. local time (23:30 GMT, Saturday), the Victor arrived in the port of Vladivostok," the spokesman said.