Environmentalists assess consequences of attack on Port Kavkaz

As a result of drone attack on Port of Kavkaz in the Krasnodar Territory, 30 fuel tanks sank, which poses a significant threat to the environment. The situation is complicated by the fact that authorities would not disclose the type of fuel that is in the tanks; and therefore it is impossible to take measures to prevent the consequences, the environmentalists, Valery Brinikh and Evgeny Vitishko, have stated.

On August 22, a train ferry with tanks in Port Kavkaz caught fire after a drone attack. 17 crew members who found themselves overboard were rescued; four of them were hospitalized.

Judging by the photos, during the attack, two or three of the 30 tanks caught fire, the rest sank to the bottom, Evgeny Vitishko has noted. "Whether their contents will spill or not depends on how tightly the tanks were sealed. If they are tightly sealed, the disaster will not be so big ... If not, we'll see and feel the spill physically. Of course, this will also affect the marine inhabitants," he said, noting that authorities lack sufficient information to draw a specific conclusion about the consequences of the incident for the environment.

Each tank contains about 30 tons of oil products; and if two or three tanks have caught fire and spill, then this is from 60 to 90 tons, which will cause significant damage to the environment, he has stated.

"If it is gasoline, then people will feel the pungent smell thereof; and they shouldn't but quickly leave the beach, because there may be poisoning ... This is a volatile gas that penetrates the lungs," the expert has explained.

It is possible that authorities wouldn't information about the type of fuel in the tanks because of the companies operating in Port Kavkaz, Valery Brinikh has suggested, adding that "broad publicity about the damage caused isn't good for their businesses."

An oil leak could pose a threat to the health of local residents and tourists, especially if the pollution spreads to the coast. This will affect the environment and tourist flow, Mr Brinikh believes.