A devastating maritime disaster unfolded in the Kerch Strait on Sunday, as a Russian oil tanker, the Volgoneft 212, split in half during a violent storm.
The incident has caused a significant spill of oil products into the strait, a critical waterway connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The tragedy has already claimed at least one life, and rescue operations are underway to mitigate the impact on the environment and recover the vessel’s crew.
The Volgoneft 212, a 136-meter-long tanker built in 1969, was carrying thousands of tonnes of oil products when it encountered the storm. The vessel reportedly broke apart, with its bow sinking into the turbulent waters.
The ship, manned by a crew of 15, was heavily damaged and ran aground after the split. Initial investigations suggest potential safety violations, and Russian authorities have launched two criminal probes to determine the causes behind the structural failure of the aging tanker.
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Another Russian-flagged tanker, the Volgoneft 239, sustained damage during the same storm. Built in 1973, the 132-meter vessel was left adrift in the Kerch Strait with a crew of 14 on board. Both tankers, designed to carry approximately 4,200 tonnes of oil products each, highlight concerns about the structural integrity of older vessels still in operation.
The oil spill has raised alarms among environmental agencies and experts. Although the extent of the spill has not yet been fully disclosed, the incident threatens to devastate the fragile marine ecosystem of the Kerch Strait, which lies at the intersection of two critical bodies of water.
Svetlana Radionova, head of Russia’s environmental oversight agency, Rosprirodnadzor, confirmed that specialists are on-site, working to assess the environmental damage. Meanwhile, rescue efforts are being coordinated by Rosmorrechflot, Russia’s federal agency for maritime and river transport.
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President Vladimir Putin has ordered the immediate formation of a government task force to manage the rescue operation and address the environmental fallout. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the president convened a high-level meeting with emergency and environmental officials to oversee the response.
The rescue operation involves more than 50 personnel, supported by specialized equipment, including Mi-8 helicopters and rescue tugboats. However, adverse weather conditions continue to challenge these efforts.
This tragic incident highlights significant concerns about the continued use of aging oil tankers in hazardous maritime conditions. Both the Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239 were built over five decades ago, raising questions about their structural resilience and adherence to modern safety standards.
The environmental impact could be far-reaching, with oil spills notoriously difficult to clean up and their consequences lingering for years. Beyond the immediate ecological damage, this disaster underscores the pressing need for stricter regulations on the operation of aging vessels, particularly those carrying hazardous cargo.
REUTERS