Federal emergency due to oil spill in the Black Sea: all known facts and consequences
The Russian government made the declaration after a number of its tankers were sank in the body of water between itself, Ukraine, Turkey and Romania.
Russia has declared a federal emergency in response to a massive oil spill along the Black Sea coast, following a catastrophic incident a fortnight ago. Two Russian-flagged oil tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, were severely damaged during a storm in the Kerch Strait, releasing thousands of tons of heavy fuel oil, known as mazut, into the sea.
The spill has polluted approximately 34 miles of coastline, affecting areas in the Krasnodar region. The environmental impact has been severe, with reports of numerous bird casualties and at least 200,000 tons of soil contaminated with fuel oil.
Ket facts so far
- The tankers were carrying a combined total of about 9,200 tonnes of mazut.
- Approximately 3,700 tonnes of oil have leaked into the Black Sea.
- One crew member was killed in the incident.
- Both vessels had their MarineTraffic systems switched off prior to the accident
How can the spill be cleared up?
The thick oil slick on the water’s surface endangers marine life, both at sea and along the coastline. Birds are particularly vulnerable, as oil sticks to their feathers, impairing waterproofing and leading to ingestion when they attempt to clean themselves.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of oil transportation in the region and the need for stricter regulations. Ukraine has accused Moscow of breaking navigation safety rules by keeping the vessels at sea in extreme weather and using old tankers. Experts stress the urgent need for coordinated action, emphasizing that environmental disasters “couldn’t care less about our borders and politics”.
As cleanup efforts continue, scientists warn that the situation may worsen, with oil continuing to wash up on shores and requiring multiple cleaning attempts. The full extent of the ecological damage and its impact on local communities and industries remains to be seen.
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