Blasts hit sanctioned tankers off Turkey’s coast, rescues underway
Summary
Two sanctioned Russian tankers were hit by blasts in the Black Sea near Turkey, causing fires and prompting rescue operations for crew members.
Key Points
- Two tankers from Russia’s sanctioned shadow fleet exploded and caught fire in the Black Sea near Turkey’s Bosphorus strait.
- The tanker Kairos suffered an explosion and fire while en route from Egypt to Russia, with 25 crew members safely rescued.
- Another tanker, Virat, was struck offshore with heavy smoke detected but all 20 personnel on board reported in good condition.
- Both tankers are subject to sanctions imposed against Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and the incident may have involved mines in the Black Sea.
