Storms on the Black Sea are nothing new. The narrow Kerch Strait, linking the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea, is infamous for its rough waters and unpredictable weather.
Ships crossing this critical route often face harsh conditions, but even by those standards, what happened this past Sunday was shocking.
In the middle of a powerful storm, a Russian oil tanker broke apart, spilling thousands of tons of petroleum into the sea, according to Digi24.
The Volgoneft 212, a vessel built in 1969, split in two while navigating the turbulent waters. It was carrying 4,300 tons of fuel oil. Of the 15 crew members on board, one person lost their life.
Another Vessel in Trouble
The tanker was left partially submerged, with oil slicks spreading on the surface of the water. Russian authorities confirmed the spill, though they haven’t revealed how extensive it is.
Rescue efforts were launched immediately, with more than 50 people, several tugboats, and helicopters dispatched to the site.
This wasn’t the only vessel in trouble that day. Another tanker, the Volgoneft 239, sustained serious damage and began drifting.
The ship’s 14 crew members, fortunately, were unharmed. Both tankers are part of an older fleet, with the second vessel built in 1973. Each can carry more than 4,000 tons of petroleum products.
The accident happened in waters near Crimea, a region Russia annexed in 2014.
Videos from the scene show oil streaking across the waves. In one clip, crew members wearing bright orange life vests stand on the deck of a damaged ship as it takes on water. Sections of the tanker appear nearly submerged.
Investigators are now working to figure out what went wrong. Aging ships, severe weather, and heavy cargo created a deadly combination.
For now, the focus is on containing the spill and preventing further environmental damage.
