Two tankers are on fire in the Black Sea. Both were used for transporting Russian oil.
The tanker VIRAT reported that it was struck approximately 35 nautical miles from the shore in the Black Sea, according to Radio Free Europe. The crew reported a drone attack. It is likely that maritime drones are meant.
Rescue teams and a commercial vessel were dispatched to the scene. All 20 crew members aboard the tanker VIRAT are in good condition, while thick smoke has been detected in the engine room. The situation is under control.
An hour earlier, a fire broke out on the next tanker heading to Novorossiysk, the Kairos, flying the Gambian flag, after the vessel struck a mine and an explosion occurred, Bloomberg reported, citing a port agent.
The tanker caught fire in the Black Sea off the coast of Turkey due to external impact, and the evacuation of the crew is being prepared, the Turkish maritime administration reported.
"A report was received that a fire occurred on the tanker Kairos, which was heading to Novorossiysk without cargo, due to external impact, 28 miles off the coast of Turkey. The condition of the 25 crew members is normal," the administration stated in a press release.
Leave a comment