Two oil tankers operating under Russia’s so-called shadow fleet were hit by explosions in the Black Sea off Turkey’s coast on Friday, triggering fires onboard and prompting emergency rescue operations by Turkish authorities, according to Reuters.
Turkey’s Transport Ministry said the 274-metre tanker Kairos caught fire after an explosion while sailing from Egypt to Russia. Rescue teams immediately dispatched two fast-response boats, a tug and an emergency vessel to the scene. All 25 crew members were safely evacuated.
The Maritime Affairs Directorate said the vessel reported an “external impact” about 28 nautical miles off the Turkish coast while en route to Novorossiysk.
A second tanker, Virat, was also struck further east in the Black Sea, around 35 nautical miles offshore. Emergency teams and a commercial vessel were sent to assist. Heavy smoke was reported in the engine room, but all 20 crew members were confirmed to be in good condition.
Both ships are listed among vessels sanctioned over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to shipping data. The Kairos, sailing under a Gambian flag and in ballast, may have struck a naval mine and was reported to be at risk of sinking.
Turkey said shipping traffic through the Bosphorus Strait remained unaffected.
