A powerful storm battered the Black Sea and Azov Sea region which resulted in (via and via)

four ships sinking, including an oil tanker, and four others are in danger of breaking up.

Up to 2,000 metric tons of fuel oil have leaked from the tanker in the Kerch Strait, which links the two seas.

A big clean-up operation is now under way, amid fears of an environmental disaster in the area.

At least two other ships were carrying potentially hazardous cargos when they sank, including nearly 6,000 tons of sulphur.

Google Maps view of the disaster location: