Sunday 22 Dec
Two Russian oil tankers were severely damaged, and one person died after a powerful storm struck the Black Sea, causing an oil spill in the Kerch Strait. Russian authorities immediately dispatched a helicopter and rescue teams to the scene.
The first tanker, Volgoneft-212, was carrying fuel oil and 13 crew members when it ran aground, severely damaging its bow. One crew member tragically lost their life, while the remaining 12 were successfully evacuated by rescue teams.
The second tanker, Volgoneft-239,
also ran aground, grounding about 80 meters from the shore near the port of
Taman in the Krasnodar region. Rescue operations for this vessel are currently
underway.
An oil spill resulted from the
incident. Russian environmental experts are currently assessing the extent of
the environmental damage.
The Kerch Strait is a vital
waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov, measuring approximately
4.5 kilometers wide and 18 meters deep.
