Russian officials say 89 crew members of a South Korean bulk carrier have been rescued after a fire broke out on their ship in the Bering Sea off Russia's Far Eastern coast.

Officials say the Oriental Angel did not send out a distress signal after crew members failed to put out of the fire near the Chukotka Peninsula early Thursday.

The crew escaped on small rafts before being rescued by boats nearby.

The Itar Tass news agency quotes a rescue official as saying the ship's chief mate died fighting the fire.

Authorities say stormy weather has impacted efforts to put out the fire, which remains under investigation.