Tanker Trouble: Sanctioned Vessels Blaze in Black Sea

Two tankers caught fire in the Black Sea, with crew members rescued. Both tankers, Kairos and Virat, are part of a so-called 'shadow fleet' used for evading sanctions on Russia. The fires prompted concerns over environmental risks and are under investigation by Turkish authorities.

In a dramatic incident in the Black Sea, two tankers, Gambian-flagged Kairos and Virat, were struck and caught fire, as reported by Turkish authorities. Fortunately, all crew members on board both vessels were rescued safely. The incidents have raised significant concerns about maritime safety in the region.

The tankers are reportedly part of a 'shadow fleet' used to evade international sanctions on Russia, as tracked by the OpenSanctions database. Turkey's Directorate General of Maritime Affairs attributed the fire on Kairos to 'an external impact' but withheld further details. Meanwhile, Virat was also struck under similarly suspicious circumstances.

Both vessels have histories of operating under multiple flags to conceal their ownership. The fires not only threaten the environment but also highlight the complex networks of maritime operations that exist to bypass global sanctions. Turkish rescue operations were swift, as smoke from the fires posed immediate dangers.

(With inputs from agencies.)