Suspension of Kerch Strait Ferry Service Amid Severe Weather
The ferry route across the Kerch Strait has been temporarily halted as a safety measure because weather conditions have worsened and wind gusts remain unpredictable. Regional emergency and humanitarian services in Crimea confirmed the pause, noting that wind speeds have reached levels that hinder vessels from safely entering or leaving the port. Port authorities in Kerch are actively monitoring the evolving weather situation before any decision to resume passenger and freight movements is made.
Transit restrictions along the Kerch ferry corridor have been in place since late October within the Krasnodar region. Freight movements are limited, with priority given to trucks delivering essential groceries and other critical supplies for Crimea. The aim is to ensure vital goods reach markets and strategic stores with minimal risk while ongoing weather and traffic assessments continue to guide decisions.
In the early hours of October 27, a significant incident occurred near the Crimean bridge. National counterterrorism authorities confirmed a truck explosion on the bridge, sparking a fire that spread to several fuel tanks of an adjacent railway car. The blast damaged multiple sections of the bridge’s automobile span, and preliminary information indicated fatalities. Investigators are at the scene collecting evidence to determine the cause and to prevent a recurrence.
Earlier reports also described a collision involving three vehicles on the Crimean bridge, which resulted in fatalities. Emergency responders and investigative teams remain at the site to document the sequence of events and secure the area for ongoing repair work and safety assessments.