Concerns about environmental disaster after tanker accident off Crimea

Two Russian oil tankers got into distress in heavy seas off the coast of Crimea. One of the ships is said to have broken through. Apparently large amounts of oil have already leaked. A sailor died.

Two Russian oil tankers got into distress off the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow. The tanker “Volgoneft 212” ran aground, the Russian civil defense said. There were 13 people on board. The tanker “Volgoneft 239” is unable to maneuver with a crew of 14. One of the sailors died, the rescue authorities said.

Several sailors apparently overboard

The state news agency Interfax had previously reported that several crew members had fallen overboard. Two helicopters and two tugboats were used to rescue the teams.

Tanker broken

Eyewitnesses report that one of the tankers broke through in the middle – a corresponding video can also be seen online. The authorities have now confirmed that a large amount of oil has leaked into the sea.

The incident occurred in heavy seas in the Kerch Strait between mainland Russia and Crimea. The strait also separates the Black Sea from the Sea of ​​Azov. A storm warning had been issued in Crimea.

Investigations by the Public Prosecutor’s Office

According to the Kommersant newspaper, the tanker “Volgoneft 212” loaded about 4,300 tons of fuel oil. An unverified video on the short message service Telegram showed stormy seas and a half-sunken tanker with black impurities in the water. The public prosecutor’s office has begun investigations into security violations.