In a dramatic turn of events, two Russian oil tankers have sunk in the Black Sea due to treacherous weather conditions, according to Russian authorities. Reports indicate that the vessels, named Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, were caught in a violent storm, leading to their tragic demise. Social media footage, whose authenticity is yet to be confirmed by the BBC, purportedly shows one tanker breaking apart and disappearing into the turbulent waters, with visible oil slicks trailing behind.
The unfortunate incident unfolded in the Kerch Strait, an area that lies between Russia and the disputed territories of Crimea. Following the accidents, emergency response teams have been activated, featuring two tugboats, two helicopters, and over 50 personnel engaged in both rescue operations and environmental cleanup.
The Russian federal sea and inland water transport agency, known as Rosmorrechflot, confirmed that 29 crew members were aboard the two tankers when they sank—15 on the Volgoneft-212 and 14 on the Volgoneft-239. They also acknowledged that the disaster has resulted in a significant oil spill, raising concerns about the environmental impact in the region.
