Two Russian tankers damaged in Black Sea after storm, oil leaked

Two Russian oil tankers were damaged in a storm in the Black Sea. There has been an oil leak, the Russian news agency Tass reports on the basis of the Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport.

The ships suffered damage in the Kerch Strait, between mainland Russia and occupied Crimea, about eight kilometers from the coast. The storm reportedly broke off the ship’s bow. There are also reports that one of the ships hit a sandbank.

Thirteen people were on board one of the tankers. There were fourteen people on board the second ship. It is now drifting rudderlessly towards the Taman Peninsula east of the Kerch Strait. One person has died on one of the ships, Russian authorities report.

They also report that the tankers have been damaged by strong winds and waves up to seven meters high. There would be no attack.

Emergency services are trying to evacuate people, Interfax reports. Helicopters, among other things, have been deployed.