KEY POINTS
- Russian tanker splits, spilling oil into the Kerch Strait.
- Emergency response launched as Putin orders rescue operations.
- Authorities probe possible safety violations linked to the disaster.
A Russian oil tanker carrying thousands of tonnes of oil products split in half during a powerful storm on Sunday, spilling oil into the Kerch Strait. The Volgoneft 212 tanker broke apart, with its bow sinking into the sea, according to Russian officials.
The incident occurred in the waters between mainland Russia and Crimea, an area that serves as a crucial shipping route for Russian grain, crude oil, and liquefied natural gas exports. Authorities have confirmed that at least one person died in the disaster, and several crew members were hospitalized.
The Russian-flagged Volgoneft 212, built in 1969, had 15 crew members on board at the time of the incident. A second tanker, the Volgoneft 239, also suffered damage and is currently adrift near the port of Taman.
Russian President orders emergency response to Kerch Strait oil spill
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an emergency response to contain the spill and mitigate its environmental impact. The Kremlin announced that a working group had been set up to oversee the rescue operations.
More than 50 personnel, rescue tugboats, and Mi-8 helicopters have been deployed to the scene. Authorities are in constant contact with the crew of the damaged Volgoneft 239, which was reported to be 80 meters from shore.
According to Reuters, emergency services attempted to evacuate the crew of the Volgoneft 239 but had to suspend operations due to bad weather. Despite the suspension, officials stated that the crew had access to all necessary survival facilities aboard the vessel.
Svetlana Radionova, head of Russia’s natural resources watchdog Rosprirodnadzor, said experts were on-site to assess the environmental impact of the oil spill. The extent of the spill has not been officially disclosed, but video footage circulating on social media showed oil slicks in the stormy waters.
Calls for stricter maritime safety measures amid environmental concerns
The Kerch Strait, a crucial shipping route, has faced heightened scrutiny over maritime safety after previous maritime accidents. The strait is a vital corridor for Russian exports of grain, crude oil, and liquefied natural gas.
Environmentalists are raising concerns about the long-term ecological damage that the oil spill could cause. An oil spill in the Kerch Strait has the potential to harm marine life, pollute water sources, and affect coastal communities reliant on fishing and tourism.
Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into possible safety violations surrounding the tanker incident. The Investigative Committee of Russia is probing whether proper protocols were followed to ensure the safety of the ships during the storm.
Rescue operations continue as Russian emergency services aim to control the oil spill and rescue crew members stranded at sea. The maritime disaster has once again sparked calls for stricter enforcement of maritime safety standards in Russian waters.
