A Russian oil tanker carrying thousands of tonnes of oil products split apart during a severe storm on Sunday, resulting in a death. The incident occurred in the Kerch Strait, a key maritime route that separates mainland Russia from Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
Russian investigators have opened two criminal cases to examine potential safety violations following the disaster, which led to at least one death. Another tanker also sustained damage and issued distress signals, prompting emergency efforts in the area, Russian officials reported.
Russian Tanker Split in Storm – Details
The primary vessel involved in the incident, the 136-meter Volgoneft 212, had 15 crew members on board when it split in half during the storm. Its bow sank after running aground, and footage from state media showed waves washing over its deck. Unverified videos circulating on social media showed blackened water and the partially submerged tanker. The tanker, built in 1969, had been carrying oil products when the storm struck.
Authorities confirmed that 12 crew members were evacuated from the Volgoneft 212, with 11 of them being taken to a hospital, two in serious condition. One crew member was reported dead. Emergency services are still in contact with the second vessel, the Volgoneft 239, a 132-meter tanker, which was drifting after sustaining damage. The Volgoneft 239, built in 1973, had a crew of 14 on board, all of whom are reportedly safe.
The Kerch Strait is vital for Russia’s exports of grain, crude oil, fuel oil, and liquefied natural gas. Both tankers have a capacity of around 4,200 tonnes of oil products. The incident has raised concerns about the potential environmental damage caused by the oil spill, though officials have not yet provided details on the extent of the spill.
Rescue operations
In response to the crisis, President Vladimir Putin ordered the formation of a working group to coordinate the rescue operation and manage the environmental impact of the spill. Over 50 people, including emergency responders and equipment such as Mi-8 helicopters and tugboats, have been deployed to the site. The Russian natural resources watchdog, Rosprirodnadzor, is also on-site to assess the damage caused by the spill.
While the incident has raised concerns, especially in light of previous accusations from Ukraine over Russia’s control of the Kerch Strait, the full scope of the damage and the cause of the tanker’s serious damage are still under investigation.
(With Reuters Inputs)