What we know about attack on oil tanker in Black Sea with unmanned surface vehicles

MOSCOW, October 7. /TASS/. A tanker flying the flag of Liberia and carrying crude oil was attacked with uncrewed boats off the Black Sea coast on Tuesday evening, according to the Russian Transport Ministry.

Its crew of 23 Indian nationals has been rescued, the ministry said. According to preliminary information, no one was hurt.

TASS has compiled the key details about the incident.

Circumstances behind attack

- On October 6, the Russian Transport Ministry reported that the Liberia-flagged Aframax Rio tanker loaded with oil was attacked with unmanned surface vessels off the Black Sea coast.

- An open oil fire is currently burning, the ministry noted.

- It will be possible to begin firefighting operations once the intensity of the fire decreases so that rescue vessels can safely approach the tanker, the ministry specified.

- The concentration of contaminating substances on the premises within the Sirius Federal Territory remains within the maximum permissible levels despite the tanker fire in the vicinity of the Black Sea, Sirius head Dmitry Plishkin said.

Tanker crew

- The crew of 23 people, all of them citizens of India, has been rescued, the Russian Transport Ministry said.

- According to preliminary information, no one has been reported hurt.

Response

- Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin chaired a crisis response meeting following the emergency

- The available forces and means are sufficient to deal with the aftermath, the ministry emphasized.

- Authorities in Sochi temporarily restricted access to promenades and beaches amid the Black Sea tanker fire, Mayor Andrey Proshunin said.