The Russian cargo ship "Ursa Major" sank in the Mediterranean Sea between the Spanish city of Águilas and the Algerian Oran. According to initial information provided by the Spanish publication La Verdad, the incident began after an explosion in the engine room, which made the area dangerous for shipping, quoted by News.bg.
Of the 16-member crew, 14 people have been rescued, while two are still being searched. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the case and said it was closely monitoring the situation.
Rescue operation and search efforts
A Russian warship has taken over the leadership of the rescue operation, which was joined by the Spanish maritime rescue service and several fishing boats located near the scene of the incident. There is still no information about the whereabouts of the two missing sailors.
The ship's route and cargo
The official course of the “Ursa Major“ was a transit between St. Petersburg and Vladivostok, with the ship departing on December 11 and scheduled to arrive on January 22. According to the ship's captain, the cargo containers on board were empty at the time of the sinking.
“Syrian Express“ and the ship's alleged mission
“Ursa Major“, together with the ship “Sparta“, for many years transported cargo along the so-called “Syrian Express“ - a logistical route for supplying Russian military bases in Syria. According to analysts, the presence of five Russian cargo ships, including three military landing ships, in the Mediterranean Sea suggests that they are intended for the evacuation of the Russian bases in Tartus and Khmeimim.
A statement from „Oboronlogistika“
The company „Oboronlogistika“, the owner of the ship, announced that „Ursa Major“ was on its way to the Far East with a large project cargo as part of a state task. The ship was allegedly carrying 380-ton port cranes for the Vladivostok terminal and 45 tons of hatch covers for new icebreakers.
The case of the sinking of „Ursa Major“ sheds light on the dangers inherent in complex transport operations carried out in the region. The rescue operation continues as the world community watches the unfolding events in the Mediterranean Sea.