Powerful winter storm hits Russia's Olympic city Sochi

A powerful winter storm swept in off the Black Sea and severely damaged a port under construction in Russia's Olympic city Sochi

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© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Mordasov

Three people are missing in Sochi after a powerful winter storm swept in off the Black Sea and severely damaged a port under construction in Russia's Olympic city.

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© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Mordasov

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The storm destroyed a pier and washed away construction equipment and materials.

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A diving boat used in the construction capsized, but was towed ashore in the morning. The three crewmen were not aboard, despite hopes that they were in the boat's hold.

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Rescuers began a search for the missing men on Tuesday morning, using a helicopter, tugs and motor boats.

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Four building cranes, a drilling installation, a diesel power unit, and other equipment were washed away.

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A floating platform Irben also used in the construction of the port sank during the storm, but three people aboard were rescued.

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The construction company building the port, tycoon Oleg Deripaska's Transstroi, said it has not begun estimating the damage yet as the storm is continuing.