Ukrainian authorities have said that a general cargo ship is sinking in the port of Mariupol, Ukraine, after Russian forces shelled it earlier today (5 April).
According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (DPSU), the ship, identified from a photograph as Azburg, was struck in an attack by the sea.
A fire broke out in the ship’s engine room. The crew was rescued, including one injured seafarer. The number of seafarers and their nationalities have not been disclosed.
The 1995-built 10,028 dwt Azburg, flagged in Dominica, a country in the Caribbean, is owned by Malta-based MSco Global, according to VesselsValue.
It has been more than a month since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February and its forces have been attacking Mariupol to seize control over Ukraine’s southeastern coastline.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent