Disaster in Kerch Strait: Oil spill crisis as tankers sink

There are 13 people and fuel oil on board the Volgoneft-212, and 14 people and petroleum products on the Volgoneft-239.

There has been a leak of petroleum products from these units - Reuters reported, citing Russian media quoting the Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport.

The portal Ukrainska Pravda reported that the tankers have broken in half. Earlier reports mentioned a leak of petroleum products.

The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that one crew member of the Volgoneft 212 has died, and 13 people have been evacuated. The tanker has run aground, it was added in the official communiqué.

According to the Russian channel on Telegram, Mash, which Ukrainska Pravda referenced, 10 sailors were rescued from the decks of the two units - Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239. "13 people are still at sea; four who were in the hold at the time of the disaster could not be found. All four are mechanics who could have drowned immediately after being hit by waves" - reported Mash.

The latest reports indicate that the accident occurred due to a storm. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations had earlier stated that the probable cause of the incident was human error committed in difficult weather conditions.

The independent Russian portal Meduza, citing state agencies, stated that the damaged tankers registered in the port of Petersburg are the Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239. The first of these ships carries approximately 4,300 metric tonnes of mazut, a substance exceptionally dangerous to the natural environment. There are 13 crew members on board. A rescue boat has been sent in the direction of the damaged unit.

Both ships are in the Kerch Strait and are located approximately 8 kilometres from the shoreline.

The Kerch Strait lies between the territory of Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by it in 2014. It connects the Sea of Azov with the Black Sea.