Post by : Rameen Ariff

Two oil tankers were struck by explosions and caught fire in the Black Sea near Turkey, prompting quick evacuation of all crew members and raising concerns over possible attacks on vessels carrying Russian oil. Turkish authorities confirmed that the Gambian-flagged tanker Kairos caught fire around 6:00 pm local time, approximately 28 nautical miles off the coast of Kefken in northern Kocaeli province. Flames and thick black smoke were clearly visible from the bow of the ship, but no immediate signs of sea pollution were reported.

The Directorate General of Maritime Affairs stated that the fire on the Kairos, which was empty and heading towards Novorossiysk in Russia, occurred due to external causes. All 25 crew members aboard the vessel were safely evacuated, and Turkish rescue teams were promptly deployed to assist. A second oil tanker, the Gambian-flagged Virat, reported being hit about 35 nautical miles away, though officials did not immediately reveal the nature of the impact.

Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu explained that "external causes" could involve attacks by mines, rockets, drones, or unmanned underwater vehicles. The two tankers were under Western sanctions for transporting Russian oil despite the embargo imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Authorities confirmed that rescue efforts reached the Virat as well, ensuring the safety of its 20 crew members. Officials stressed that the health and safety of all sailors were not at risk, and no oil spills or environmental hazards have been detected so far.

The incident highlights ongoing risks in the Black Sea, where naval mines from both Russian and Ukrainian forces, deployed to protect coastlines, have drifted during storms over the past years. NATO members Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania established a joint naval Mine Countermeasures Group in 2024 to monitor and manage such threats.

This latest fire and explosion incident underscores the persistent dangers faced by vessels in the region, especially those transporting sanctioned oil, and has prompted heightened monitoring by maritime authorities.

#Global News