Indian government has been in contact with Russian agencies to know about the fate of the Indians, who were onboard the two ships that caught fire in the Kerch Strait on Monday, said the country's external affairs ministry on Tuesday.

At least 10 sailors have died in the mishap while 12 were rescued and nine are still missing, according to the Russian Maritime Agency overseeing the rescue operations, said an official statement issued by the ministry.

According to media reports, there were as many as 15 Indians among the crew on both ships. Both vessels were flying Tanzanian flags and one of them was a liquefied natural gas carrier and another one was a tanker.

"We have been informed that two ships caught fire while moving through the Kerch Strait after one of them was apparently rocked by an explosion on Monday," said an official statement.

The statement added "Our embassy in Moscow is in constant touch with the concerned Russian agencies to get more information on Indian nationals affected in the incident and to extend necessary assistance."