Explosion in Black Sea: Shadow Fleet Tanker Catches Fire

An explosion occurred on the Russian shadow fleet tanker, Kairos, in the Black Sea, near Turkey's Bosphorus strait, igniting a fire in the engine room. The incident prompted a rescue operation for the 25 crew members aboard. The ship, under sanctions due to Russia's Ukraine invasion, may have collided with a mine.

An explosion shook a tanker from Russia's shadow fleet near Turkey's Bosphorus strait in the Black Sea, igniting a fire within the engine room, according to a shipping agency. A rescue operation commenced for the 25 crew members aboard.

Turkey's Maritime Affairs Directorate reported that the tanker, Kairos, was traveling to Russia's Novorossiysk port when it experienced 'an external impact' causing the blaze 28 nautical miles from the Turkish coast. A second tanker, Virat, also reportedly exploded further east in the Black Sea, according to sources.

Both tankers, Kairos and Virat, are included in a list of vessels facing sanctions due to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Kairos flew the Gambian flag and was unladen. Initial reports suggest a mine may have been involved. Rescue teams, including tugboats and coast guards, were sent to assist, with the crew's condition reported as good. Despite the incident, shipping traffic through the Bosphorus strait continued uninterrupted.

(With inputs from agencies.)