A Russian cargo ship, Ursa Major, sank in the Mediterranean Sea overnight following a massive explosion in its engine room, Reuters reported, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
The ministry confirmed that 14 of the 16 crew members were safely rescued and brought to the Spanish port of Cartagena, while two remained missing.
The cause of the explosion has not been disclosed and is under investigation. Russia’s embassy in Spain informed state news agency RIA Novosti that it is working with local authorities to examine the incident.
Spain’s maritime rescue service responded to a distress signal from the Ursa Major on Monday. A nearby vessel reported rough weather conditions, a lifeboat in the water, and that the ship was listing to starboard.
Two rescue vessels and a helicopter were deployed to the site. The crew indicated that the ship was transporting empty containers and two port cranes on its deck.
Later, a Russian warship arrived to oversee the rescue efforts.
The Ursa Major, capable of carrying 1,200 tons or up to 120 vehicles on deck, was the largest cargo ship operated by Oboronlogistika, a company affiliated with the Russian defense ministry. The company manages the transport of both military and civilian goods, according to Bloomberg.
The vessel had recently undergone repairs in November in preparation for a planned voyage to Vladivostok with heavy cargo, as noted in a December 3 statement on Oboronlogistika’s website, referenced by Bloomberg.
