MOSCOW – The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria following an engine room explosion, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday. Fourteen of the 16 crew members were rescued and brought to Spain, while two remain missing.
Footage published by the Russian news outlet life.ru shows the ship listing heavily to its starboard side, with its bow dipping significantly below the waterline. The video, filmed on Dec 23 by a passing vessel, remains unverified.
Ship tracking data from LSEG reveals that the Ursa Major departed from Saint Petersburg on Dec 11, transmitting its last signal late Monday night in waters near Algeria and Spain. Despite previously docking in the Syrian port of Tartous, the ship had indicated Vladivostok as its intended destination.
The ship’s operator, SK-Yug, and its owner, Oboronlogistics, both declined to comment on the sinking. However, a Dec 20 statement from Oboronlogistics revealed that the Ursa Major was carrying specialized port cranes for installation in Vladivostok, along with parts for new icebreakers.
The unverified footage shows two giant cranes strapped to the deck as the ship listed before sinking. Efforts to locate the missing crew members are ongoing.