Ground Report

As many as 10 ships sank or ran aground in the northern Black Sea region of Russia during the fierce storm, including the Volganeft-139, an oil tanker loaded with nearly 1.3 million gallons of fuel oil. Nearly half its cargo has spilled into the strait and was washing up on nearby shorelines in what officials said it could be the worst environmental disaster in the region in years. After rescuing the Russian tanker’s 13 crew members, workers began what could be a long-term effort to clean up the spill. They shoveled the tar-like, oil-laden sands and seaweed into piles on the shore as slick-covered waters lapped at their boots. Oil covered birds were also reported to be seen trying to swim flapping their oil-laden wings. The Nakhichevan freighter was believed to be carrying about 7,150 U.S. tons of sulfur, which also has spilled into the waters.