Oil Tanker Catches Fire After Uncrewed Vessel Attack in the Black Sea

Dragon Media Newsroom

The Russian Transport Ministry said the Liberia-flagged crude oil tanker Rio was attacked by uncrewed vessels off the Black Sea coast. All 23 Indian nationals aboard were rescued. Preliminary information indicated that no one was injured.

The ministry said an open fire was burning on the tanker. Firefighting operations could begin only after the flames subsided enough for rescue vessels to approach safely.

Despite the fire, the concentration of pollutants in the Sirius Federal Territory remained within permissible limits, said Dmitry Plishkin, head of the territory.

Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin chaired an emergency meeting following the incident. The ministry said the available personnel and equipment were sufficient to manage its aftermath. Sochi Mayor Andrey Proshunin said access to promenades and beaches had been temporarily restricted because of the fire.