Sochi authorities deny reports of birds in oil after tanker fire

In Sochi, reports of a mass detection of birds stained with oil products after the fire of the tanker Aframax Rio in the Black Sea have not been confirmed. Specialists examined the coastal territory of the resort and did not record traces of oil pollution. This was reported in the operational headquarters of the Krasnodar Territory.

The reason for the check was publications in social networks, the authors of which claimed that birds appeared on the Black Sea coast with traces of oil on the plumage. The dissemination of such reports has raised concerns about the possible environmental consequences of the oil tanker accident.

The administration of Sochi said that information about the pollution of the coast was not confirmed. According to the results of the survey of the coastline, emissions of petroleum products in the resort city were not detected.

Earlier, similar information was provided by Rosprirodnadzor. The Agency organized monitoring of the state of the sea and coastal zone after a fire on the tanker. At the time of the inspection of the facts of contamination experts have not identified.

The incident with the tanker Aframax Rio occurred on October 6 in the Black Sea near Sochi. A Liberian-flagged vessel carrying oil was attacked by uncrewed boats, after which a fire broke out on board.

All 23 crew members were rescued. Open burning was eliminated on October 7. Subsequently, the tanker was towed to a safe place for the necessary technical measures.

After the incident, the relevant services began monitoring the environmental situation. Particular attention is paid to the possible appearance of oil spills on the sea surface and traces of pollution of the coastal strip.

Despite the lack of confirmed emissions of petroleum products within Sochi, monitoring of the state of the water area continues. Experts monitor the situation in order to timely identify possible changes in the environmental situation.