A ship carrying corn that sank near Odesa may pose a threat to the environment

The foreign dry cargo ship GOLDEN LEO, which was struck by a Russian attack on July 19 while leaving one of the ports in the Odesa region, sank in the Black Sea. Following the incident, monitoring of the waters in the region was stepped up due to the risk of environmental pollution.

This was reported by the Odesa Regional Military Administration.

According to the Odesa Regional Military Administration, following the Russian attack, the vessel—which was carrying corn—sustained significant damage, became unseaworthy, and sank on July 26 approximately five nautical miles off the coast of Odesa.

Ten people were killed as a result of the hostile strike.

In connection with the incident, the Odesa Regional Military Administration held an emergency meeting of the commission on technogenic and environmental safety and emergency situations.

Currently, continuous monitoring of the Black Sea waters has been implemented to assess the potential impact of the shipwreck on the environment and the safety of navigation. Particular attention is being paid to monitoring for possible leaks of fuel and lubricants.

Rescue workers, environmentalists, and specialists from the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, the Ukrainian Scientific Center for Marine Ecology, the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health, and other relevant agencies are involved in the response.

In addition, communities along the Black Sea coast have been instructed to continuously monitor the condition of the water area and be prepared to promptly address any potential sources of pollution.

The Odesa Regional State Administration noted that the situation is under constant monitoring and that all relevant agencies are coordinating their actions.

As a reminder, the GOLDEN LEOwasattacked by three X-59/X-69 cruise missiles as it was leaving port on July 19. Ten people were killed in the attack. Eight sailors were successfully evacuated and taken to hospitals in Odesa.Theattackedvesselwas carrying nearly 2,800 metric tons of corn.

Earlier, it was reported that a sailor from a ship that came under drone attack while en route to Reni had died. The deceased was one of three crew members who were hospitalized following the incident. Tudor-Ion Năstăsescu, director of the Tulcea County Medical Center, noted that the man suffered pulmonary complications related to inhalation trauma. The other two injuredsailorsremain hospitalized in the intensive care unit. They are in stable condition, and their lives are not in danger.

Андрій Колісніченко