Two Russian oil tankers, Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239, were damaged off the coast of Crimea due to bad weather. The vessels, carrying thousands of tons of oil, sustained damage while transiting the Kerch Strait waterway. An emergency response was triggered, with an MI-8 helicopter and rescue boat dispatched to assist.
The crew of the Volgoneft 212 requested assistance after sustaining a bow-torn vessel, approximately 5 miles from shore. One sailor died, while 12 were evacuated alive. The exact extent of damage is unclear.
Both vessels are reported to be carrying oil products, with the Volgoneft 212 holding around 4,300 tons. The Volgoneft 239 had 14 people on board and was also damaged.
The Kerch Strait’s harsh conditions led to a grounding for one of the tankers. An investigation into an oil spill is ongoing.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/2-russian-oil-tankers-damaged-off-crimea-emergency/story?id=116802361