Bad weather in Russian oil tankers causes oil to break in two...Concerns over environmental pollution in the Black Sea
Dec 16, 2024
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This is raising concerns about environmental disasters caused by oil spills.
According to foreign media such as the Daily Mail, the Russian oil tanker Volgonneft 212 broke in two after being hit by strong waves near the Kerch Strait in Crimea in bad weather.
The tanker was found to have carried more than 4,300 tons of low-grade heavy oil.
Shortly after the accident, another Russian cargo ship, Volgonneft 239, also ran aground nearby, and Russian authorities came to the rescue.
The vessel was reportedly carrying 4 tons of fuel oil and was also sinking.
There were 13 crew members on board Volgoneft 212 and 14 on Volgoneft 239, according to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.
The amount of oil spilled from the two ships has not been accurately determined, but video from the accident site posted on social media showed black oil continuing to pour into the sea from the sinking tanker.
Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations dispatched rescue helicopters and rescue ships immediately after the accident.
Ukraine criticized the Russian authorities for operating an aged tanker in bad weather for being responsible for the accident.
According to the Daily Mail, the Volgonneft 212, which had an accident, was recently renovated as a 55-year-old ship built.
The Black Sea, where environmental pollution has become severe due to the war, is feared to cause a greater environmental disaster due to the oil spill.
bellho@sportschosun.com
