A Russian cargo ship, the Ursa Major, sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria on Monday, leaving two crew members missing. The vessel was built in 2009 and controlled by Oboronlogistika, a company linked to Russia’s defence ministry.
Fourteen of the ship’s 16 crew members were rescued and taken to Spain. However, two are still unaccounted for. The cause of the explosion is unknown. Russia’s embassy in Spain has launched an investigation into the incident.
The Ursa Major was on its way to Vladivostok when it sank. It had been carrying empty containers and two giant port cranes that were meant to be installed at the Russian port. A warship from Russia arrived at the scene and took charge of rescue operations.
Oboronlogistika declined to comment on the incident, while Spain’s maritime rescue service reported that the ship was heavily listing to one side before sending out a distress signal. The ship’s ultimate owner had previously said it was carrying specialized equipment for new ice-breakers.
Two other Russian cargo ships have also been involved in incidents recently. Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence service reported that another Russian cargo ship, called Sparta, experienced technical issues off the coast of Portugal and is now en route to Syria to collect military equipment.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/24/russian-cargo-ship-sinks-mediterranean-explosion-ursa-major