Official announcements from involved countries or international maritime organizations

Russian Cargo Ship Ursa Major Sinks After Explosion in Mediterranean, 14 Rescued, 2 Missing Between Spain and Algeria

Dec 24, 2024, 03:39 AM

The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria following an explosion in its engine room, according to reports from the Russian Foreign Ministry and various media outlets. Of the 16 crew members aboard, 14 were rescued while two remain missing. The Ursa Major was reportedly involved in transporting military equipment from Syria, including two 45-ton hatches for a nuclear icebreaker and two cranes intended for Vladivostok. The ship's sinking represents a significant loss for Russian military logistics, as it was previously utilized for operations in Syria. The incident occurred amid reports of another Russian vessel, the Sparta, which had also experienced engine failure while attempting to evacuate troops and equipment from Syria, but it is unclear whether the two incidents are directly related.