Moscow: A Liberian-registered oil tanker carrying 23 Indian nationals caught fire after it was attacked by Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea off Russia’s southern coast, Russian officials said. The entire crew was evacuated, though one Indian sailor suffered injuries, AFP reported.
Russia’s Transport Ministry said the attack caused crude oil to spill and burn on the surface of the sea. Efforts to put out the flames were suspended because of the heat and intensity of the blaze, with emergency teams expected to make another attempt once conditions became safer.
The tanker was located near Sochi, a major tourist destination whose population is estimated at nearly 500,000. Footage shared online showed the vessel engulfed in bright flames, while dense black smoke rose above the sea near the resort city.
Coastal Areas Closed As Fire Rages
Sochi Mayor Andrei Proshunin said authorities had restricted access to the shoreline and local beaches following the incident.
The attack came 24 hours after another ship caught fire and sank in waters off Romania. That incident left one person dead and another unaccounted for. Ukraine alleged that Russia was responsible for the attack. One Indian crew member was also reported to have been injured in the latest tanker incident.
Shipping routes across the Black Sea have increasingly become targets since the war between Russia and Ukraine began in 2022. Russian forces have recently struck grain ships carrying Ukrainian cargo near Romania, which is a member of the European Union.
Black Sea Routes Turn Risky
Ukraine has defended its attacks on Russian oil facilities, saying they are legitimate retaliation for Russia’s repeated overnight missile and drone strikes against Ukrainian towns and cities.
The two countries have signalled that attacks will intensify. Russia has recently targeted major bridges in Kyiv and carried out daytime drone raids on the capital, disrupting traffic and creating severe congestion.
Earlier Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure in southern Russia caused oil slicks, forced authorities to close beaches and reportedly led to toxic black rain falling in some areas.
The Russian Transport Ministry said the tanker had been attacked by “naval drones” and that “crude oil is burning openly in the waters of the Black Sea”. It added that firefighters would try again to extinguish the blaze after its intensity declined.