Tragedy at the Danube: Explosion on Ukrainian vessel kills three
Photo: An explosion occurred on a Ukrainian ship at the mouth of the Danube (Getty Images)
Late yesterday evening, July 23, an explosion occurred on a dredger vessel in the Bystre mouth of the Danube, as a result of which three workers died, and there are injured, according to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority.
"The vessel was at the Bystre mouth to carry out scheduled work with 11 crew members on board. As a result of the explosion, three workers died. The other crew members are currently in the hospital, they are receiving all necessary medical assistance," the administration noted.
It is reported that relevant services are working at the scene. Details of the incident are being clarified. The results will be reported additionally.
"The maritime access channel of the 'Bystre' mouth is temporarily closed to vessel traffic. The passage of vessels to/from the sea ports of the Danube region is currently carried out through the Sulina channel," added the press service of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority.
What is known about the Bystre mouth on the Danube
The Bystre mouth in the Danube Delta is one of the routes for exporting Ukrainian products via the sea corridor. Thus, Ukraine recently began work to increase the depth of the mouth to boost exports from sea ports.
According to Ukraine, the depth of the mouth increased from 3.9 to 6.5 meters. In the mid-1990s, the depth of the channel was 6.5 meters, but in recent years Ukraine had not carried out dredging work, which led to the accumulation of silt.
Ukraine increased exports through its Danube ports to 1.5 million tons per month after the invasion by the Russian Federation. Ukrainian engineers also previously developed a plan to deepen the mouth to 8.2–8.3 meters, but Romania does not agree to its implementation.
