A Russian cargo ship sank in the Mediterranean Sea after an explosion in the engine room. 14 of the 16 crew members were rescued, while 2 people are missing. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that a Russian cargo ship sank in the Mediterranean. It was reported that the ship named “Ursa Major” sank under the waters after an explosion in the engine room.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known, and it was noted that the investigation into the incident is ongoing. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that they are meticulously conducting search and rescue efforts in coordination with relevant local and international institutions.
Russian authorities called on coast guards from other countries in the Mediterranean to cooperate, saying they needed support to find the missing crew.
According to Reuters, Oboronlogistika, the ship’s ultimate owner, said in a statement on Dec. 20 that the ship, which LSEG data showed was previously called Sparta III among other names, had been carrying specialized port cranes due to be installed at the port of Vladivostok as well as parts for new ice-breakers. Two giant cranes could be seen strapped to the deck in the unverified video footage. LSEG ship tracking data shows the vessel departed from the Russian port of St. Petersburg on Dec. 11 and was last seen sending a signal at 2204 GMT on Monday between Algeria and Spain where it sank.
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