Russian Tankers Collide Amid Storm, Oil Spill Erupts in Kerch Strait
A Russian oil tanker faced a catastrophic incident during a severe storm on Sunday, breaking apart and releasing thousands of tonnes of oil products into the Kerch Strait. Another tanker nearby also encountered distress, sustaining damage as Russian officials reported the alarming situation. The vessels, caught in the storm between mainland Russia and the annexed territory of Crimea, issued distress signals.
Russian investigators have initiated two criminal cases, focusing on potential safety violations following the incident, which resulted in at least one fatality. The 136-meter Volgoneft 212 tanker, which had a crew of 15, tragically split in half, causing its bow section to sink. State media broadcasted footage capturing the perilous storm conditions, with waves crashing over the tanker's deck.
Built in 1969, the Volgoneft 212 tanker had suffered damage and ended up grounded. Unverified footage circulating on Telegram shows darkened waters surrounding a half-submerged vessel amidst the storm.
Meanwhile, the second Russian flagged ship, the 132-meter Volgoneft 239, was reported to be drifting after encountering damage, according to the Emergencies Ministry. This vessel had a crew of 14 members and was constructed in 1973.
The Kerch Strait serves as a vital passageway for Russian exports of grain, oil, and liquefied natural gas. In September, Ukraine lodged a complaint with an international court accusing Russia of violating maritime law by trying to monopolize the control of the Kerch Strait — a claim that Russia firmly dismisses as unfounded.
Emergency response teams reported that one crew member tragically lost his life on the first tanker, while 12 others were evacuated, with 11 of them needing hospitalization; two are in serious condition, as noted by Alexei Kuznetsov, an aide to the health minister.
As the situation unfolded, the Emergencies Ministry confirmed they were in communication with the crew of the second tanker, which ran aground approximately 80 meters from the shore near the port of Taman, located at the southern end of the Kerch Strait. However, efforts to evacuate the remaining crew from the Volgoneft 239 were later halted due to deteriorating weather conditions.
Despite the challenges, the ministry reassured the public that the ship had all necessary onboard facilities to ensure the crew's safety was not at risk. Both tankers reportedly have a loading capacity of about 4,200 tonnes of oil products.
Official reports have yet to specify the extent of the oil spill or the cause behind the significant damage to one of the tankers. In response to the unfolding crisis, President Vladimir Putin has tasked the government with forming a working group to address the rescue operation and mitigate the environmental impact of the fuel spill.
According to news reports, over 50 personnel and specialized equipment, including Mi-8 helicopters and rescue tugboats, have been deployed to the affected site. Svetlana Radionova, head of Russia's natural resources watchdog Rosprirodnadzor, confirmed that specialists are actively assessing the damage resulting from the incident.
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