Ferry loaded with fuel sinks at Russian port after attack by Ukraine
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A ferry carrying 30 fuel tanks sustained significant damage that ultimately led to its sinking.
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MOSCOW – A ferry loaded with fuel tanks sank in the Russian port of Kavkaz in southern Krasnodar region on Aug 22 after a Ukrainian attack, the local authorities said.
The ferry carrying 30 fuel tanks, as confirmed by Mr Fyodor Babenkov, district head of the town of Temryuk which includes the port, sustained significant damage as a result of the attack, which caused a fire.
Seventeen crew members were rescued from the ferry, the governor of the Krasnodar region said on his Telegram channel. The rescue operation is ongoing and the whereabouts of two additional crew members was unknown, he said.
Potential casualties are being assessed. According to unofficial Telegram news channel Baza, 15 people were on board the ship and were missing after the attack.
Ukraine has not immediately commented on the incident.
Russian state news agency Tass, citing the Ministry of Transport, reported that all port employees were evacuated.
A local task force said a special train to tackle the fire had been sent to the site. More than 100 people were engaged in tackling the blaze.
Several Russian media outlets have shared images and videos that appear to depict the blaze and plumes of black smoke rising from the ship.
Reuters could not immediately verify the videos.
The fire did not spread to the premises of the port, Tass reported.
The port of Kavkaz is one of Russia’s largest outlets on the Black Sea. It handles ships both for exports and for fuel supplies to the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which is currently occupied by Russia. REUTERS
