A Russian tanker reportedly broke apart in the Black Sea, causing heavy fuel oil to leak into the Kerch Strait, according to officials from the Russian marine organization.
In addition, the stormy weather caused damage to a second ship that was located nearby.
During the late hours of Sunday, the Volgoneft-212 ran aground and sustained damage to its hull, according to Russian officials.
The vessel was transporting thousands of barrels of oil.
One member of the crew is thought to have died, while the remaining thirteen sailors were rescued.
It was reported by officials that the second tanker, the Volgoneft-239, was drifting aimlessly in the region with fourteen seamen on board.
Both ships were traveling through the Kerch Strait, which is the body of water that divides the Russian-occupied territory of Crimea from the Russian mainland.
The strait serves as a primary passageway for tankers transporting oil from Russia.
Both of the smaller tankers were transporting a total of 9,000 tons of mazut, which is a type of heavy fuel oil.
There was a black slick on the waves that impacted the ship, as seen in footage from social media that was taken at the scene.
According to a statement made by an officer at the Russian Sevastopol Naval Base, emergency teams are currently trying to determine the overall level of oil pollution.
It was his assertion that the rescue efforts were hampered by the huge waves and heavy winds.
Following the meeting of ministers, the Russian official media stated that President Vladimir Putin had issued an order for a working group to be formed in order to deal with the crisis.
As part of the rescue operation, it was reported that helicopters, tugboats, and other vessels were dispatched.
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