Cargo ship ‘explodes after hitting Russian mine in Black Sea’

Two sailors were injured.

Dec 28, 2023 - 13:00
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Cargo ship ‘explodes after hitting Russian mine in Black Sea’
This handout picture released by the Ukrainian Border Guards Press Service on December 28, 2023 shows a commercial ship damaged by Russian naval mine in the Black Sea in the Black Sea. Ukraine's border guards said on December 28, 2023 that a commercial ship arriving to collect grain had hit a Russian naval mine in the Black Sea, injuring two. The unnamed Panama-flagged cargo ship was heading towards one of Ukraine's Danube ports when it hit a mine, sparking a fire and injuring two sailors, the border force said. (Photo by HANDOUT / UKRAINIAN BORDER GUARDS PRESS SERVICE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT
The incident happened in the early hours on Thursday morning (Picture: AFP)

A ship hit a Russian mine in the Black Sea, triggering an explosion on board, Ukraine has claimed.

The Panama-flagged bulk carrier was headed to a Danube River port in the Odesa region, which has been under intense attacks from Vladimir Putin’s forces.

Chaos ensued as a fire broke out on the upper deck, leaving two sailors wounded.

The crew lost control of the ship and to avoid flooding, the captain anchored it aground.

Boats of the Coast Guard of the State Police Service and the Search and Rescue Service immediately assisted the crew and brought medics on board. 

One sailor was treated on the spot, while the other was rushed to the nearest hospital. 

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