Russia declared on Saturday a regional state of emergency in Crimea, after a major oil spill in the Black Sea last month. The announcement coincided with intensive efforts to remove tons of contaminated sand and dirt on both sides of the Kerch Strait.
Mikhail Razvozzhaev, the Russian-appointed governor of Sevastopol, declared a state of emergency in the city due to new signs of minor oil pollution. The declaration gives authorities additional powers to make urgent decisions, such as ordering citizens to evacuate if necessary.
According to the Russian Emergencies Ministry, more than 86,000 tons of contaminated sand and dirt have been removed so far, and rescue teams, including more than 10,000 workers, are working to clean up sandy beaches in the resort of Anapa and surrounding areas.
The oil spill occurred last month after two old tankers were hit by a strong storm, causing one to sink and the other to run aground, spilling about 2,400 tons of oil products into the sea, according to the Russian Ministry of Transport. Although this amount is less than initial estimates, the environmental damage was extensive, with the deaths of dolphins, porpoises and seabirds.
The two tankers, which are more than 50 years old, were carrying about 9,200 tons (equivalent to 62,000 barrels) of oil products.
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