The Delfa center reported that 32 marine mammals have died following last month’s oil tanker accident in the Black Sea. The incident occurred on December 15 when two aged Russian oil tankers became stranded in the Kerch Strait during a storm.
One tanker sank while the other ran aground, spilling approximately 2,400 tonnes of heavy fuel oil into the surrounding waters. Delfa reported 61 dead marine mammals, with 32 likely dying due to the oil spill.
The majority of the deceased were “Azov” dolphins—a type of marine porpoise closely related to dolphins but more akin to belugas and narwhals.
The Russian Emergency Ministry stated that efforts are ongoing to mitigate the impact of the incident, although “strong winds and waves” have caused the oil to wash ashore on various beaches.
Hundreds of volunteers are assisting in removing contaminated soil along the southern coasts of Crimea and Russia. Russian authorities emphasized that cleaning this type of heavy, dense oil is particularly challenging as it does not float on the surface.
