Today's Edition
Moscow (dpa)
Russia has declared a state of national emergency due to the oil spill in the Black Sea caused by a tanker accident. This will allow more government resources, technology and money to be deployed in the fight against the oil, Minister of Emergency Situations Alexander Kurenkov said in Moscow on Thursday.
On December 15, two tankers collided in stormy weather in the Kerch Strait. One of the tankers broke in two. According to Russian authorities, approximately 3,000 tonnes of oil flowed into the sea.
According to Kurenkov, 30,000 tonnes of oil-polluted sand have since been collected on the mainland coast in the Krasnodar region, the Russian state news agency Tass reported.
The coast is being monitored over a length of 220 kilometres. The minister spoke of 10,000 emergency services personnel.
The beach in the resort of Anapa, which is popular because of its fine sand, is also affected.
The Crimean peninsula was not initially affected due to the prevailing westerly winds. However, oil stains have also been observed there on the south coast.
