ALBAWABA - Russia's minister of natural resources said Monday that the Black Sea shoreline has been severely harmed by a disastrous oil leak in the Kerch Strait that was brought on by a weather storm hitting two Russian tankers, according to AFP.
The incident involved the Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 tankers and happened during a storm on December 15. Approximately 40% of the 9,200 tons of gasoline oil that the ships together carried leaked into the ocean.
Up to 200,000 tons of dirt might be polluted, according to Russian Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov, although 14,000 tons have reportedly already been gathered.
The ecosystem of the area has been severely damaged by the spill, which has affected around 130 kilometers of shoreline, especially in the Temryuksky district and the area close to Anapa. Oil that has accumulated on beaches has washed back into the sea due to storms, making cleaning operations more difficult.
The harm to the environment is significant. At least 11 dolphins, including eight endangered Azov species, and 125 birds impacted by the oil have perished.
Rescue crews are rushing to treat the impacted animals, and more fatalities are expected. 875 birds have been saved by local volunteers, but they are running out of time and resources to make a meaningful difference, according to Novaya Gazeta.
The continuing cleanup efforts, which employ more than 5,000 people and 200 pieces of equipment, are riddled with difficulties. Volunteers operating in dangerous environments have blasted the government's reaction, pointing to delays in extracting gathered oil and a lack of resources.
Images of contaminated beaches and animals drenched in oil went viral, prompting President Vladimir Putin to refer to the leak as a “ecological disaster.”
Two of the hardest-hit cities in seized Crimea are the port city of Kerch and the resort town of Anapa. According to the Russian Emergencies Ministry, just 10.7 kilometers of the contaminated shoreline have been cleaned so far.
