A Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier was hit by a mine in the Black Sea in the Odessa region on Thursday while en route to a Ukrainian port to load grain. The explosion injured two crew members, but tugboats helped bring the ship into port.
Published on: December 28, 2023 – 1:28 p.m
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Collateral victims of the war in Ukraine. A Panamanian-flagged merchant ship heading to a Ukrainian port to load grain struck a mine and two sailors were injured, border guards said Thursday, Dec. 28.
“A civilian ship flying the Panamanian flag exploded on an enemy sea mine in the Black Sea. The bulk carrier was on its way to a port on the Danube to load grain,” the Border Guard Service said in a statement.
According to them, the ship lost control and a fire broke out after the impact. Tug boats were sent to the ship to escort it back to port.
Ukraine continues to export its grain through the Black Sea
“Two sailors were injured. One of them was treated at the scene while the other was taken to the nearest hospital for further evaluation. His condition is satisfactory,” they added.
Ukraine was able to export its grain across the Black Sea for nearly a year thanks to a deal with Russia that Moscow finally withdrew from in July, denouncing Western sanctions on its own sales of agricultural products.
Ukrainian authorities continued to export their production through the establishment of a maritime corridor, although on a smaller scale than under the agreement.
Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian port infrastructure in the south and on the Danube, another trade route for Ukrainian agriculture, in recent months.
With AFP