Turkish authorities reported on Friday that explosions and fires occurred on two oil tankers in the Black Sea, prompting crew evacuations. The vessels, reportedly sanctioned, were en route to Russia when the incidents happened.
Sanctions on some oil shipments to Russia have increased tensions in the region, with maritime security concerns arising as a result. These incidents add to growing geopolitical complexity affecting oil transport routes in the Black Sea.
"We evacuated the crew to ensure safety and are investigating the causes of the explosions," Turkish maritime officials stated.
This incident highlights the rising risks to sanctioned oil shipments amid geopolitical tensions in the Black Sea region.