The Russian cargo ship that sank in the Mediterranean was the victim of a “terrorist attack”, according to its owner

The sinking of a Russian cargo ship in the Mediterranean on December 24 is believed to be due to a “terrorist attack”its owner company said this Wednesday, cited by Russian agencies.

Two sailors are missing after the sinking of this cargo ship belonging to a company dependent on the Ministry of Defense, in international waters of the Mediterranean, Russian diplomacy said on Tuesday, the circumstances of the incident remaining to be clarified.

The cargo ship Ursa Major with 16 crew members on board, all Russian citizens, “wrecked after an explosion in its engine room”according to the ministry press release. Fourteen sailors were rescued and taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena and “two are missing”he clarified.

According to Spanish sea rescue services, Ursa Major “issued an alert call” on the night of Monday to Tuesday, about 105 km from the coast of the Spanish city of Almeria, against a backdrop of “bad weather conditions”.

A section of the Russian Investigative Committee, the body responsible for the main investigations in the country, announced on Tuesday the opening of an investigation into “violation of safety rules” maritime transport, without further details.

Spanish boats were dispatched to take care of the 14 survivors, before a Russian warship took over rescue operations, according to Spanish rescue services.

The cargo ship is the largest vessel of the Oboronloguistika company, which reports to the Russian Defense Ministry and also provides civilian transportation and logistics services.