A Russian oil tanker, the Volgoneft 212, split apart during a heavy storm on Sunday in the Kerch Strait, spilling oil into the waters. The tanker, carrying thousands of tonnes of oil products, sank after its bow went under, killing at least one person. The 136-meter vessel, built in 1969, had 15 people on board when it split, and waves were seen washing over its deck in footage from state media. Emergency services evacuated 12 crew members, with two in serious condition.
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Another tanker, the Volgoneft 239, was also damaged in the storm and left drifting in distress. This vessel, built in 1973, had 14 crew members aboard.
The Kerch Strait, a key route for Russian grain and oil exports, was heavily impacted by the incident. Russian authorities have opened two criminal investigations into the safety violations following the accident.
The spill has raised concerns about environmental damage in the strategically important waterway.
