KRASNODAR: Environmentalists have discovered the bodies of 10 dolphins believed to have been affected by a recent oil spill from two oil tan...
KRASNODAR: Environmentalists have discovered the bodies of 10 dolphins believed to have been affected by a recent oil spill from two oil tankers in the Black Sea, Tatyana Belei, director of the Delfa dolphin rescue center, told TASS.
"In total, 10 Azov Sea harbor porpoise deaths believed to have been caused by the oil spill were recorded between December 15, 2024, when the emergency occurred, and December 22," she said.
Additionally, mass beaching of Azov Sea harbor porpoises has been reported in Novorossiysk, some 60-70 km (32-42 nautical miles) from Anapa, where the oil spill occurred, Belei highlighted. Witnesses found six dead dolphins with no signs of fuel oil intoxication on a beach and two more in the water. "Such incidents are very rare in coastal areas of the Krasnodar Region. This is a very concerning situation," she added.
Specialists took samples to investigate further into the causes behind the death of the dolphins discovered in Novorossiysk. Injured dolphins can still swim long distances, which is why cetaceans affected by the oil spill can be found far from the emergency zone, Belei explained.
The Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 tankers were severely damaged in a storm on December 15. One sailor died, and the rest were evacuated. According to the rescuers, the tankers were carrying about 9,200 tons of fuel oil. The Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport reported that an oil spill had occurred in the Black Sea as a result of the accident. Satellite monitoring data indicated that a total of 3,000 tons of fuel oil leaked.
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