Damages from Russian tanker accidents in the Kerch Strait could reach $14 billion
19.12.2024 - 11:04
Damages from accidents involving two Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait could reach $14 billion.
This was stated by the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine Svitlana Grinchuk, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
“If we use our damage calculation methods, if the volume of these products exceeds 4 thousand tons, then the losses will be $14 billion for the Black Sea area,” she commented.
According to Grinchuk, it will be possible to talk about obtaining high-quality satellite images for more detailed modeling only after weather conditions in the region improve.
The minister called the pollution of coastal ecosystems and the risk of oil slicks reaching other areas of the Crimean coast the key threats.
Earlier, USM reported that dolphins and birds are dying as a result of the accident of Russian tankers in the Black Sea.
Recall, on December 15, two Russian tankers were sinking in the Kerch Strait. The tanker Volgoneft-212, carrying 4 tons of oil, was the first to suffer an accident. An hour later, a storm hit the Volgoneft-239.
The cause of the accident was a strong storm. One of the tankers was cut almost in half by the waves. As a result of the accidents, 4,300 tons of fuel oil and other petroleum products could have spilled into the sea.
