An oil tanker carrying 23 Indian crew members caught fire off Russia’s southern coast after an alleged Ukrainian drone attack, with all crew members reportedly rescued safely, according to Russia’s Transport Ministry.
The Liberian-flagged tanker was reportedly struck by what Russian authorities described as naval drones on Tuesday evening, triggering a major fire offshore. Thick black smoke was visible from Sochi, with images and videos circulating on social media showing flames emerging from the vessel.
23 Indian Crew Members Rescued
The incident placed all 23 Indian crew members aboard the tanker at risk. Russia’s Transport Ministry said the crew members were successfully rescued following the attack.
Details regarding injuries, the extent of damage to the vessel and the circumstances surrounding the rescue operation were still emerging.
The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by commercial shipping operating in and around the Black Sea amid the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Tanker Fire Reported Off Sochi Coast
According to reports, the tanker came under attack in waters off Russia’s southern coastline. The vessel reportedly caught fire after being hit by naval drones, sending large amounts of smoke into the air.
Several videos and photographs shared online appeared to show a significant fire burning offshore near Sochi. Independent verification of all material circulating on social media was not immediately available.
Authorities were expected to assess the condition of the vessel and investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Growing Risks for Black Sea Shipping
Commercial shipping in the Black Sea has faced increasing security risks since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022. The latest incident adds to concerns over the safety of merchant vessels operating in the region.
In recent days, Russia has also been reported to have struck grain vessels carrying Ukrainian cargo near the coast of Romania, an EU member state, further raising concerns over the potential impact of the conflict on regional maritime trade.
The latest tanker incident is particularly significant for India because of the presence of 23 Indian nationals among the crew. Their safe rescue is likely to remain a key focus as authorities continue assessing the incident and its wider implications for commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
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