30 Whales Dead After Oil Spill in Black Sea

A devastating oil spill in the Black Sea has resulted in the death of over 30 whales, according to a Russian-based NGO headquartered in Sochi.

The spill occurred after two Russian oil tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, sank during a severe storm in the Kerch Strait in mid-December.

The tankers, which were transporting 9,200 tons of fuel oil, lost an estimated 40% of their cargo to the sea, as reported by Russian authorities.

The NGO Delpha, which specializes in the rescue and rehabilitation of dolphins and whales along Russia’s Black Sea coastline, revealed via Telegram, “We found 61 dead whales, 32 of which died after December 15. Their deaths are likely linked to the oil spill.

“The organization described the situation as “alarming and unprecedented.”

The majority of the deceased marine animals are porpoises, with Delpha noting that most of the deaths likely occurred within the first 10 days following the spill, based on the state of the carcasses.

The contamination levels in the Black Sea remain severe, despite extensive cleanup operations carried out by authorities and volunteers over the past three weeks.

The situation is still critical, and the region’s marine ecosystem faces ongoing threats from the pollution.