A cargo ship encountered a severe storm off the Black Sea coast near Novorossiysk, and the vessel sank despite a rapid emergency response. Eleven Russian nationals were aboard at the time, according to the maritime authorities.
The vessel Seamark, registered under the Comoros flag, reportedly broke apart in the storm while transporting a cargo of marble chips estimated at 3,500 tons, according to a government source cited by RIA Novosti.
A separate report from Izvestia described the dry cargo ship tilting sideways with the force of the waves, creating a precarious situation for the crew. The vessel, aged 42 years, was said to have carried marble chips from Novorossiysk to a Turkish port, per local news outlets.
Eyewitness accounts indicated the ship broke into two sections, prompting a full-scale rescue operation. rescuers noted that two life rafts were afloat nearby and that a rescue vessel had already approached the area. The current status and count of survivors remained unclear at that stage, according to Rosmorrechflot as reported to TASS.
RBC, citing emergency ministry and regional police sources, placed the accident at anchorage 415 near the village of Kabardinka, roughly 20 kilometers from Novorossiysk. Two rescue ships, Mercury and Mechanic Lepilin, were dispatched from Novorossiysk to assist in the response.
Officials described an active rescue operation as the weather remained dangerous. A representative noted the ship, built in 1981, had been loaded and held in the most hazardous area due to a strong south wind. Some accounts suggested a possible shift in load or water ingress from the storm, while wind strength was easing but waves persisted. Tugs worked to bring the crew to safety, according to a port authority source.
Rosmorrechflot reported that waves at the crash site reached about three meters with gusts up to 25 meters per second, underscoring the perilous conditions faced by rescuers and survivors alike. A subsequent update confirmed the presence of casualties among the crew, with one of the eleven sailors reported dead and others in serious condition, as confirmed by the emergency ministry and corroborated by multiple sources.
The Union of Russian Seafarers stated that the rescued crew members were transported to a hospital in Novorossiysk for medical care and observation. Further details from local outlets indicated that three crew members were initially found aboard the lifeboat and were brought aboard the Mechanic Lepilin, while another survivor was recovered from the water. Additional crew members reached shore independently and were evacuated by emergency services. Survivors wore diving suits and appeared unharmed upon initial assessment, with some later reported as in serious condition.
Investigators arrived at the scene to gather evidence and determine the sequence of events that led to the disaster. A statement from the Western Interregional Transport Investigation Department described a comprehensive set of investigative actions aimed at clarifying all circumstances surrounding the incident. As authorities continued to analyze data and witness reports, storm warnings remained in effect for the region, and port authorities observed ongoing weather-related restrictions on navigation and operations. The broader port area had experienced elevated storm activity and related advisories, with historical references to weather disruptions impacting shipments during prior periods in the year.
In related advisories, local administrative authorities had warned residents about continuing strong winds and thunderstorms affecting the Novorossiysk port. The port faced weather-related disruptions to operations, reflecting the broader impact of the storm on regional maritime activity. Officials noted that weather patterns and sea conditions could influence future shipping schedules and safety protocols as the investigation progressed.