The Moldovan Maritime Agency said a chemical tanker sailing under the Moldovan flag came under fire in the Black Sea on Friday.
The agency reported that “the ship Millenial Spirit (chemical tanker), which was flying the flag of the Republic of Moldova, while it was in the neutral waters of the Black Sea, was hit by a shell.
It is noted that the side that fired the shot has not yet been determined.
“A fire broke out on board the ship, equipment and lifeboats were destroyed, and the crew of the ship left wearing only life jackets. At the moment, rescue operations are being carried out from nearby ships. The entire crew of the ship is citizens of Russia,” the agency added.
The agency confirmed that there were no Moldovan citizens on board the ship. And that the accident occurred near Odessa, Ukraine.
The Maritime Agency will report on the rescue of the crew and ship.