A passenger ferry ran aground on the Lena River near the village of Nizhny Bestyakh in Yakutia on a Saturday, prompting a report to regional authorities via a local observer’s telegram channel.
Initial information shows Ferry 4 was operating on the route between Nizhny Bestyakh and Yakutsk, carrying passengers and vehicles when it unexpectedly grounded. At the time, the vessel carried about 50 passengers and 3 crew members. No injuries were reported, and responders conducted on‑site assessments to confirm immediate passenger safety and to evaluate the vessel’s structural condition.
Officials said the ferry would be refloated with the help of tugboats. The Yakut Transport Prosecutor’s Office has opened an inquiry to review navigational procedures and compliance with safety regulations governing river ferry operations in the region.
Earlier in October, another maritime incident was noted in the Barents Sea near Murmansk on October 17, involving the cargo ship Alexander Gusev. The crew reported being stranded, and authorities coordinated efforts to secure the vessel and its cargo while investigating contributing factors.
In a separate briefing from July, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that the vessel Mikhail Somov ran aground in the Franz Josef Land archipelago. Officials noted there was no risk of flooding or fuel leakage at that time. The mission of the Mikhail Somov was to deliver roughly 800 tons of cargo to 21 polar stations spread across the White, Barents, and Kara Seas, underscoring the logistical challenges of supplying remote Arctic outposts during the navigation season.
Additionally, there was an incident involving a Russian aircraft that caught fire after takeoff in Tajikistan, triggering an emergency response and a safety review by relevant authorities. These reports highlight ongoing monitoring and risk management across different transport modes in northern regions and along the Arctic corridor.
Across these events, authorities emphasize rapid response, routine vessel safety inspections, and strict adherence to international and domestic regulations for all modes of transport operating in extreme northern environments. Ongoing updates are issued as investigations proceed and new details emerge about weather conditions, crew actions, and potential impacts on regional supply chains and passenger safety. Source attribution: East Siberian Transport Prosecutor’s Office; Ministry of Emergency Situations; regional maritime authorities; official press briefings.