Two Russian fuel oil tankers crash in Kerch Strait
On Sunday, December 15, two Russian oil tankers carrying mazut, a low-quality heavy fuel oil, are sinking in the Kerch Strait in the Black Sea
The Russian Emergencies Ministry, Telegram channels, and media outlets reported the incident.
One of the tankers, Volgoneft-212, was transporting about 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil, and at least 4,000 tonnes leaked, creating a large oil slick.
"Early this morning, we received a report that 8 kilometers before the Kerch Strait, the fuel oil tanker Volgoneft 212, registered in St. Petersburg, was in trouble," a source from Interfax quoted emergency services.
Later reports revealed that two tankers were sinking in the Kerch Strait.
Mash reported that after the Volgoneft-212, the Volgoneft-239 also split in two after being struck by a wave. Russian rescuers confirmed that the tanker had 14 crew members and oil products on board.
Sailors say this issue has plagued ships converted from full-fledged tankers to the "river-sea" class in the 1990s. Over the past 30 years, 1,097 crew members working on such "homemade" vessels have reportedly died.
By 12:27, the Ministry reported that the Volgoneft-212 had run aground after sustaining damage, while the Volgoneft-239 was drifting.
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