2 Russian oil tankers have sunk in an accident in the Black Sea. One of the crew is believed to have died in the incident. Both ships had a crew of 29. Russian authorities reported this information on Sunday (December 15). British media BBC reported this news.
The accident occurred in the Kerch Strait, which separates Russia from Moscow-occupied Crimea. Tug boats, helicopters and more than 50 personnel are conducting rescue operations at the scene.
A video posted by Russia's Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office on Telegram shows a tanker splitting in two and sinking during a heavy storm. Oil stains were also visible in the water.
The Russian news agency TASS said that the Russian authorities have started an investigation.
In a statement, Russia's Federal Sea and Inland Water Transport Agency Rosmarechflot said, “Two tankers named Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 sank today in the Black Sea under the influence of a storm. The ships had 15 and 14 crew respectively. Due to the accident, the oil spilled into the water.'
Reuters reported that the capacity of each tanker is about 4,200 tons of oil.
However, it is not yet clear how much oil has been spilled.
