An engine room explosion sank the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major in the Mediterranean, leaving two crew members missing. The incident occurred between Spain and Algeria, prompting international rescue efforts.
Explosion Triggers Urgent Rescue Operations
The Ursa Major sent a distress signal 57 miles off Almería’s coast, alerting Spain’s maritime rescue service. Two vessels and a helicopter responded, rescuing 14 of the 16 crew members and transporting them to Cartagena. Unfortunately, two crew members remain missing. Witnesses on a nearby ship reported bad weather and observed the Ursa Major listing heavily before it sank. Unverified footage, released later, showed the vessel leaning sharply starboard with its bow partially submerged.
A Russian warship later arrived at the site to lead rescue operations, highlighting the international nature of the response. Investigations are ongoing to identify the cause of the explosion.
Cargo Linked to Russian Defense Ministry
The Ursa Major, built in 2009, carried two large port cranes and empty containers, as confirmed by its owner, Oboronlogistika. This company, connected to Russia’s defense ministry, described the cranes as destined for Vladivostok. The ship had previously been under U.S. sanctions, imposed in 2022 for its military affiliations.
Despite earlier routes to Tartous, Syria, the ship’s departure from St. Petersburg indicated Vladivostok as its next destination. Ship tracking data showed its last signal before the explosion, between Algeria and Spain.
Rising Maritime Incidents Heighten Concerns
As the Ursa Major disaster unfolded, Ukraine’s military intelligence reported technical issues with another Russian cargo ship, Sparta. Located off Portugal’s coast, the Sparta resolved its problems and continued toward Syria to retrieve military supplies.
The sinking of the Ursa Major and related maritime incidents emphasize the risks of shipping in geopolitically tense regions. Both events raise questions about maritime safety, military cargo, and international shipping security amid growing global tensions.