Search for Russian ship delayed by weather

KHABAROVSK, Russia, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- A diving expedition in search of a missing Russian cargo ship in the Sea of Okhotsk had to be postponed Monday due to poor weather conditions, officials said.

The Amurskaya freighter was en route from the port Kiran to the port of Okhotsk with a cargo of gold ore weighing 700 tons when it sent a call of distress on Oct. 28, RIA Novosti reported. Eight crew members were aboard the vessel.

Divers were brought in Monday to investigate an underwater object spotted by an echo sounder Sunday but the mission had to be postponed, officials said.

A team of divers has remained in the area pending an improvement in the weather.