Russia Two missing after explosion on Russian freighter
Two sailors are missing following the sinking of a Russian freighter off the Spanish Mediterranean coast. 14 members of the 16-strong crew of the ship "Ursa Major" were rescued on Monday evening around 40 nautical miles off Cartagena, the newspaper "La Opinión de Murcia" and other media reported, citing the Spanish maritime rescue service and the port administration of Cartagena.
24.12.2024, 11:24
SDA
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the accident. According to Moscow, the Russian cargo ship "Ursa Major" sank in the international waters of the Mediterranean after an explosion in the engine room. According to Russian media reports, the 142-metre-long freighter was a supply ship for the troops in Syria.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown for the time being
According to Spanish media reports, the explosion occurred around midday on Monday between the port city of Águilas in south-eastern Spain and Oran in Algeria. The cause of the accident was initially unknown. The Red Cross in Spain had mobilized a team of doctors and psychosocial support specialists to care for those rescued and had also organized emergency accommodation, wrote "La Opinión de Murcia".
The Spanish rescue ship "Clara Campoamor" and a Spanish navy patrol boat have remained at the scene of the accident until further notice in case more help is needed and also to monitor whether fuel is leaking from the 15-year-old cargo ship.
