Fire Strikes Two Tankers in the Black Sea

Two Gambian-flagged tankers, Kairos and Virat, caught fire in the Black Sea. The Turkish Maritime Authority reported successful rescues of all crew members from both vessels. Kairos was en route to Russia and was hit by fire about 45 km off the Turkish coast. The cause remains under investigation.

In a dramatic series of events on the Black Sea, two tankers flying the Gambian flag encountered fires on the same day. The Turkish Maritime Authority confirmed both incidents, ensuring that all crew members were safely rescued from the smoldering vessels.

The second tanker, named Virat, faced an unspecified external impact leading to a fire about 35 nautical miles off the Turkish coast. Rescue operations were swift, with teams deployed to manage the incident and ensure the safety of the crew despite the reported heavy smoke in the engine room.

Earlier, the Kairos, en route to Novorossiysk port in Russia, also experienced a fire 45 km from Turkey's Kocaeli province. While the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, Turkish officials have assured that investigations are ongoing. The situation underscores the potential hazards in maritime transport across the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)