Two Russian tankers wrecked in Black Sea, triggering oil spill
A storm in the Black Sea splits a Russian tanker, causing a major oil spill and at least one death. Rescue efforts intensify as cleanup operations begin.
A powerful storm in the Black Sea has caused a catastrophic incident involving two Russian oil tankers, resulting in a significant oil spill and the loss of at least one crew member, Russian authorities confirmed.
The Volgoneft-212 tanker was split in half by the storm's force, sinking and leaving streaks of oil visible in the turbulent waters. Footage released by the Southern Transport Prosecutor’s Office captures the scale of the devastation. Meanwhile, a second tanker, Volgoneft-239, remains adrift after sustaining heavy damage.
The incident occurred in the Kerch Strait, a critical waterway linking Russia to the occupied Crimean peninsula. President Vladimir Putin has ordered Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev to spearhead a working group to address the crisis, as rescue and clean-up efforts intensify.
Over 50 personnel, supported by tugboats and helicopters, are battling challenging conditions to contain the spill and locate missing crew members. The tankers carried a combined crew of 29 and were capable of transporting approximately 8,400 tonnes of oil products, according to Rosmorrechflot, Russia’s federal sea and inland water transport agency.
Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into potential negligence, Russian media reported. The exact volume of oil spilled remains unclear, adding to environmental concerns in the ecologically sensitive Kerch Strait.
This disaster echoes a 2007 tragedy in the same region, when the Volgoneft-139 tanker split in two during a storm, spilling over 1,000 tonnes of oil. Today’s incident has reignited calls for stricter safety protocols in one of the world’s most vulnerable maritime zones.
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