Photo taken on Jan. 21, 2019 shows a burning ship in the Kerch Strait connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. (Xinhua/Sputnik)

MOSCOW, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 people died after two ships caught fire in the Kerch Strait following a possible explosion, Russia's Federal Agency of Maritime and River Transport (Rosmorrechflot) said Monday.

"14 sailors have been rescued. 10 bodies have been lifted from the water," a Rosmorrechflot spokesman was quoted by Sputnik news agency as saying.

According to preliminary information, an explosion occurred on one of the vessels and set it on fire, which spread to the other ship later on.

A total of 31 sailors, including Turkish and Indian nationals, were reportedly on board the ships when the accident took place.

The search and rescue operation is under way.

According to Rosmorrechflot, the accident took place when fuel was pumped from one vessel to the other.