Two Russian oil tankers were badly damaged by a storm in the Kerch Strait, leaking oil, prompting an emergency rescue operation. Russian officials gave this information to a government news agency on Sunday.
Russian news agency ‘Tass’, citing the country’s Emergencies Ministry, reported that the Volgoneft-212 tanker got caught in the storm and its front part burst. The tanker had 13 crew members on board and was loaded with fuel.
Officials said the damage was caused by bad weather. The Emergency Ministry said a second tanker, Volgoneft 239, was also damaged in the storm. There were 14 crew members on board.
The Kerch Strait separates the Russian-occupied Crimea peninsula from Russia and is an important sea route in the world. This strait connects the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea.
