At least one dead after Russian tanker damaged in stormy Black Sea

15 December 2024, 16:17

At least one person had died amid damage to Russian-flagged ships in the Black Sea
At least one person had died amid damage to Russian-flagged ships in the Black Sea. Picture: Social media/Alamy

By Shannon Cook

One person has died following damage to two Russian tankers in the Black Sea.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Russian tankers were reportedly 'severely' damaged due to stormy weather conditions, reported the Interfax news agency.

Crews are being evacuated amid an emergency rescue operation. Russia has sent more than '50 people' and equipment, which includes Mi-8 helicopters and rescue boats.

The damage is thought to have caused an 'oil spill', reported Ifax.

A video shared on X details a portion of a tanker detached from the body of the craft, which can be seen submerging into the water.

The caption on the video shared on X reads: "Two Russian oil tankers, the Volgoneft-212 and the Volgoneft-239, are in distress in reasonably heavy seas 8 km off the Kerch Strait in Ukraine's Russian-occupied Crimea.

"The bow of one of them, (Volgoneft-212?) has broken off. 4.3K tons fuel oil could spill."

Two criminal cases have been launched by Russian investigators as they consider potential safety violations.

Crew in the video shared on X, some members of the crew can be seen wearing orange life jackets.

Read more: Ukrainian drones strike Russia as Kyiv reels from air attacks

Read more: Russia ‘terrorising millions’ with latest massive aerial attack, says Zelensky

According to Russian state news agency TASS, a crew of 13 and a 'cargo of fuel oil' were on board the '136-metre' Volgoneft 212 tanker.

The Russian tanker was reportedly holding thousands of tonnes of oil - thought to be around 4,2000 tonnes.

The tanker is thought to have had its 'bow' damaged when it 'ran aground'.

Crew on board the Russian-flagged ship can be seen wearing orange life jackets
Crew on board the Russian-flagged ship can be seen wearing orange life jackets. Picture: Social media/X

Russia's water transport agency Rosmorrechflot said there was a "spill of petroleum products".

Officials also note damage to a second Russian ship - the 132-metre Volgoneft 239 - in the same area.

A 14-person crew are thought to be on board the second Russian-flagged ship, which carries a loading capacity of approximately 4,200 tonnes of oil products.

The two ships were badly damaged as a result of stormy weather in the Kerch Strait - located between mainland Russia and Crimea.

Located between Europe and Asia, with Crimea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Bosporus, Dardanelles and Kerch Strait.
Located between Europe and Asia, with Crimea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Bosporus, Dardanelles and Kerch Strait. Picture: Alamy

Crimea was annexed from Ukraine by Moscow in 2014, with the peninsula remaining a key point of political tension between the warring countries.

Serving as another contentious area, the Kerch Strait is a valuable global shipping route, providing a path from the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea.

News agencies referencing Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov have said that President Vladimir Putin is communicating with the ministers for emergencies and the environment to deal with the rescue operation and reduce the impact of the oil spill in the Black Sea.

Statements from officials have not confirmed the cause of the damage to the tankers or the impact of the spill.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Sophie Chandauka and Prince Harry

Prince Harry breaks silence as he attacks 'blatant lies' amid Sentebale charity racism row

Breaking News

M5 closed in both directions after body found on motorway sparking police investigation

Lucy

Expert panel claims 'no criminal offences committed' in Lucy Letby case after bombshell new report into baby deaths

The Sentinelese are a pre-Neolithic tribe that rejects contact with the modern world

US tourist arrested for sailing to remote island and leaving a can of Coke for the world's most isolated tribe to try

Full runners and riders confirmed for Saturday's Grand National

Grand National 2025 runners and riders confirmed as full 34-horse line-up revealed

Exclusive
Sophie Bannister and April-Levi Whalley have posted celebratory social media posts after dodging jail for drug smuggling

'Can't wait to enjoy our summer': Drug smuggling best friends celebrate after avoiding jail time

The Trump administration has been ridiculed after imposing tariffs on uninhabited islands

'No one is safe, not even the penguins': Trump administration ridiculed after imposing tariffs on uninhabited islands

Uriah Rennie is 'learning to walk again'.

Premier League's first black referee, Uriah Rennie, 'learning to walk again' after he was left paralysed

Two people died in the explosion in Newcastle

Man, 33, admits manslaughter and drugs charge after devastating house explosion in Newcastle left two dead

j

Glamorous drug smuggling friends found guilty of bringing cannabis to UK - after New York 'shopping trip'

Greenpeace activists scaled a building outside the Foreign Office

Greenpeace activists scale Foreign Office building over signing of ocean treaty

Spain celebrates winning the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia

UK poised to host 2035 Women’s World Cup

Lucy Letby

Lawyer for killer nurse Lucy Letby to hand over 'fresh' evidence he hopes will clear her name

World leaders react to US tariffs

'This is not the act of a friend': World leaders react to Trump's 'unwarranted' tariffs

The millionaire businesswoman has called for an urgent safety review by TfL after the emergency Help Point failed in a central London station.

Millionaire businesswoman abandoned on Tube platform by staff after 'traumatising' assault

British couple

British couple found dead in New Zealand named - as police probe possible murder-suicide