Ship Runs Aground in Siberias Yenisei River, Leaking 30 Tons of Diesel Fuel into Pristine Waters

Approximately 30 metric tons of diesel fuel leaked into the Yenisei River in Siberia after a vessel towing two barges ran ashore and disintegrated in shallow waters, according to Russian officials on Monday.

Authorities reported that the ship struck an underwater obstruction, causing the barges to separate and rupture the ship’s hull, resulting in the fuel spill that began around 6 p.m. local time on Sunday.

The Yenisei River, which originates in northern Mongolia and flows into the Arctic Ocean, is 3,487 kilometers (2,167 miles) long, making it the fifth longest river system globally.

Prosecutors noted that the spill extended up to 50 kilometers (31 miles) along the riverbank and that they were monitoring the containment strategies. The ship’s owner was identified as the Ob-Irtysh River Shipping Company, based in Tyumen.

The Krasnoyarsk branch of Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that the crew was able to stop the barges from drifting further downstream.

A state of emergency was declared in the Kazachinsky district of the Krasnoyarsk region, where the incident took place. District head Yury Ozerskikh stated that the oil slick had reached the shores of two villages but did not pose an immediate threat to the local population.

Ozerskikh also warned on Telegram that the spill presents a significant risk to the regional ecosystem, particularly affecting aquatic organisms and coastal plant life.

Environmental agencies have taken water samples from both upstream and downstream locations for analysis.

In response to the incident, Russia’s Investigative Committee, which handles serious crimes, has initiated a criminal inquiry into breaches of safety regulations related to the transport of hazardous materials and environmental protection.