A Russian oil tanker carrying thousands of tons of cargo broke in half during a strong storm today, spilling oil into the Kerch Strait, while another tanker is also in trouble after sustaining damage, Russian officials said. At least one person has died.

The 136-meter-long Volgoneft 212 tanker with 15 people on board broke in half after the bow sank and waves washed over the deck, according to footage released by state media.

"There has been an oil spill," Russian shipping agency Rosmorehflot said.

Another Russian-flagged ship, the 239-meter Volgoneft 132, was at sea after suffering damage, the Emergencies Ministry said. It has a crew of 14 and was built in 1973. Both tankers have a loading capacity of around 4200 tonnes.

Official statements did not provide details on the extent of the spill or why one of the tankers suffered such severe damage.

The ships were in the Kerch Strait between mainland Russia and Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, when they sent out distress signals.

Russia said more than 50 people and equipment, including Mi-8 helicopters and rescue tugs, had been deployed to the area. The Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that the Volgoneft 212 tanker was carrying about 4300 tons of oil.

An unverified video posted on Telegram shows black water in a stormy sea and a half-submerged tanker.