Kyiv: A fire broke out following a drone attack on an oil tanker off Russia’s Black Sea coast on Tuesday. The Liberian-flagged oil tanker Aframax Rio was at sea near Sochi. There were 23 Indian crew members present on the ship at the time of the incident. According to Russian officials, all Indian crew members were evacuated safely and no injuries were reported.
How did the oil tanker catch fire near Sochi?
According to Russia’s Transport Ministry, the tanker was targeted by a naval drone. Following the attack, a fire broke out on the ship in the Black Sea near Sochi. According to officials, the crude oil present in the tanker started burning in the sea, due to which black smoke was visible for a long distance in the area.
Initially, due to the high intensity of the fire, firefighters had trouble controlling it. Later, efforts to control the fire were intensified with the help of additional resources.
Are all 23 Indian crew members safe?
According to Russian officials, all 23 crew members aboard the tanker were Indian citizens. It is a matter of relief that everyone has been rescued safely and there is no information about anyone being injured in the incident.
After the attack, security arrangements were increased in the surrounding sea area. Officials kept a watch on the situation and conducted relief and rescue operations.
Why increased concern in the Black Sea?
After the tanker fire, concerns about pollution in the surrounding marine and coastal areas also increased. Some beaches in the Sirius Federal Territory were closed. The quality of air and water is being continuously monitored by the administration.
According to Sirius administration head Dmitry Plyushkin, the level of pollutants found in the investigation was much lower than the prescribed limit. At present the administration has not described it as a threat to people’s health.
Have commercial ships been targeted before?
Attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea are not a new phenomenon. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, there has been a constant concern about the safety of ships on sea routes. Both sides have been accused of targeting commercial and other vessels in the Black Sea.
On the same day, a Russian attack on a Marshall Islands-flagged merchant ship was also reported, resulting in the death of one crew member and injuries to several others. Drone attacks were also reported on two other ships off the coast of Bulgaria, although responsibility for these attacks was not clear.
What has India said on maritime attacks?
India has earlier expressed concern over attacks on commercial ships in vital sea lanes such as the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. India has given importance to the security of maritime trade and the safety of seafarers working on ships.
There is relief in the safe escape of 23 Indian citizens after the latest incident in the Black Sea, but this incident has once again raised questions about the safety of commercial ships passing through the war-torn region.
