Both vessels were carrying approximately 4,000 tons of fuel oil on board each, according to Baza.

“There’s a bow and there are two ships , torn in half,”

— more footage from the site of the wreck of Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry officially confirmed that the Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 are sinking. An MI-8 helicopter has been dispatched to the scene. There are 13 people and fuel oil on board the Volgoneft-212, and 14 people and oil products on board the Volgoneft-239.

“More than 50 specialists and 11 pieces of equipment are already involved in eliminating the consequences. Further information is being clarified,” the Ministry of Emergency Situations reports.

https://t.me/astrapress/70315

  • adarza@lemmy.caEnglish
    28·
    3 days ago

    Mash reported that both tankers were built around 50 years ago and were hastily converted in the 1990s from full-fledged tankers to “river-sea” class vessels.

    The rushed modifications included cutting the ships in half, discarding the center, and welding the bow and stern together, leaving a large seam that failed under the impact of powerful waves. This seam ultimately split apart, contributing to the vessels’ sinking.

    if only they had flextape.