A devastating oil spill in the Black Sea has prompted Russian authorities to declare a regional state of emergency in Crimea, the peninsula annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The spill, which occurred last month, has resulted in extensive environmental damage, with tons of contaminated sand and earth now being cleared along the Kerch Strait.
The oil spill originated on December 15 when two aging tankers, battered by a fierce storm, leaked heavy fuel oil into the sea. One tanker sank while the other ran aground.
Together, they carried an estimated 9,200 metric tons of oil products, but Russian experts now believe about 2,400 metric tons were discharged into the sea—a smaller but still catastrophic figure.
The spilled oil, identified as M100-grade heavy fuel oil, presents unique challenges for cleanup efforts. Unlike lighter oil products that float on the surface, M100 solidifies at temperatures below 25°C (77°F) and sinks to the seabed or remains suspended in the water column, complicating recovery operations.
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The oil spill has wreaked havoc on the surrounding environment. Rescue workers in protective suits have been battling to remove more than 86,000 metric tons of contaminated soil and sand, shoveling viscous, foul-smelling fuel from beaches in and around Anapa, a popular summer resort.
Environmental groups have reported distressing consequences, including the deaths of dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds in the affected areas. The spill has tarnished the once-pristine coastline, leaving a grim reminder of the risks posed by aging oil infrastructure.
On Saturday, Mikhail Razvozhaev, the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, announced a state of emergency in the city. This decision grants authorities enhanced powers to respond swiftly to the crisis, including the possibility of evacuating citizens if needed.
The Russian Emergencies Ministry has mobilized over 10,000 workers to clean up the contamination across the Kuban region in southern Russia and Crimea. Footage shared on social media shows teams in hazmat suits meticulously skimming oil-tainted sand and loading it onto heavy machinery for disposal.
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