The Russian container ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea, Reuters reported, citing the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The cause was said to be an explosion in the engine room. The agency also published a video from Monday showing the ship sinking into the water. Russian authorities said 14 of the 16 crew members were rescued and two remained missing.
A container ship called Ursa Major sank in the stretch of the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria – Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The surviving crew members were evacuated by rescue services to Spain.
The agency also published a recording showing the ship sinking into the water, dated – as it was written – on December 23.
According to data from the LSEG analytical company, which deals with, among other things, tracking maritime traffic, the container ship left the port of St. Petersburg on December 11. Its position was last recorded on Monday at 10 p.m., when it was between Spain and Algeria.
Container ship Ursa MajorReuters
The ship was supposed to sail to Vladivostok
Reuters reported that the ship was initially intended to head to the port of Vladivostok, and not to the Russian naval base in Syria in the town of Tartus, where he was previously seen.
The operator and owner of the ship is SK-Jug, part of Oboronlogistics, a company organizing the transport and delivery of Russian military equipment, Reuters reported. Neither of them commented on the incident.
Oboronlogisitcs said in a statement on December 20 that the Ursa Major was carrying port cranes and ice-breaking tools to be installed in the port of Vladivostok.
Main photo source: Reuters