The Romanian Ministry of Defense said the warship struck a mine while trying to disembark in bad weather in the Black Sea on Thursday, but none of the crew were harmed by the explosion.
The ministry said the ship was alerted to the presence of a mine drifting about 25 nautical miles northeast of the Roman port of Constanta in the Black Sea, but it was not neutralized before it hit the ship due to strong currents. wind and waves.
In a statement made by the ministry, “There were no casualties or injuries after the explosion. The crew of 75 on board is not in danger. The ship’s lifting capacity was not affected and there were no casualties. Major damage to the ship.”
The Black Sea is important for the transportation of grains, oil and petroleum products. Its waters are shared by Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia and Turkey.
The mines began to appear floating in the Black Sea after the launch of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in February, and since then the Romanian ministry said that Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine have destroyed 28 mines in the western waters of the Black Sea. Sea. .
Source: “Reuters”
Source: Arabic RT