CNN
—
Two Russian cargo ships carrying oil merchandise are in misery following unhealthy climate within the Kerch Strait between mainland Russia and annexed Crimea, the nation’s ministry of emergency conditions mentioned Sunday.
A helicopter rescue crew has flown to the positioning of one of many vessels, “Volgoneft 212,” which was broken after operating aground, prompting crew to request help, the ministry mentioned. The ship’s 13-strong crew has been evacuated, the ministry added. One particular person is understood to have died.
A second cargo ship, “Volgoneft 239,” went adrift after sustaining harm in the identical area, the ministry mentioned. The second vessel has 14 folks on board.
“The operational headquarters is working. More than 50 specialists and 11 models of apparatus are already concerned within the response. Further data is being clarified,” the ministry mentioned in an announcement.
The ministry added that the extent of a doable oil spill is being assessed.
A video circulating on unofficial Ukrainian and Russian Telegram channels seems to point out a big cargo ship snapped in two, with water spilling over the sting of the highest deck of the vessel as uneven waves rock it back and forth.
The bow of a ship, which may be seen within the background of the video, has damaged off and seems simply above the water line. Crew members may be seen carrying lifejackets because the digital camera spins round.
CNN has been unable to independently confirm the placement of the video.
Ukraine has frequently focused Russian infrastructure in or close to Crimea, a territory it’s looking for to recapture after it was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, however there isn’t a suggestion that the incidents are conflict-related.