Oil Spills in Kerch Strait After Russian Tanker Splits in Storm

ship Dashing News

A devastating oil spill has occurred in the Kerch Strait after a Russian tanker broke apart during a fierce storm. The incident left one person dead and raised environmental concerns over the spilled petroleum products.

What Happened?

The Volgoneft 212, a 136-metre Russian oil tanker built in 1969, was carrying thousands of tonnes of oil products when it was split in half by the storm.

  • The tanker had 15 crew members onboard.
  • Its bow sank as waves crashed over the deck, as seen in footage shared by Russian state media.
  • Tragically, at least one crew member lost their life.

The vessel ran aground and spilled an unspecified amount of petroleum products, confirmed by Rosmorrechflot, Russia’s water transport agency.

Second Tanker in Distress

Another tanker, the 132-metre Volgoneft 239, also suffered damage during the storm.

  • Built in 1973, the vessel has a crew of 14.
  • It was reported to be adrift after the incident.

Both tankers have a loading capacity of approximately 4,200 tonnes of oil products each.

Where Did It Happen?

The spill occurred in the Kerch Strait, a strategically important waterway between mainland Russia and Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

Response Efforts

Russian authorities responded swiftly to the incident:

  • Over 50 personnel were deployed to the site.
  • Mi-8 helicopters and rescue tugboats were mobilised.

Unverified videos circulating on Telegram showed blackened waters and the tanker partially submerged in the turbulent sea.

Environmental Concerns

The full extent of the oil spill remains unclear. Russia’s Kommersant newspaper reported that the Volgoneft 212 was carrying about 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil.

Key Questions Unanswered

Authorities have yet to provide details on:

  • The volume of oil spilled into the Kerch Strait.
  • Why the Volgoneft 212 sustained such severe damage.

This incident highlights the dangers of transporting oil in ageing vessels during adverse weather conditions, raising questions about maritime safety and environmental protection in the region.

Sources

  • Kommersant Newspaper
  • Rosmorrechflot
  • Emergency Ministry Statements
  • Footage from Russian State Media

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