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EMERCOM helicopter flies from Khabarovsk to the stranded tanker area

According to preliminary information, no leaks of oil from the Karakumneft tanker have been detected in the emergency area

KHABAROVSK, February 17 (Itar-Tass) — On Friday the Mi-26 helicopter of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry (EMERCOM) took off from Khabarovsk to the area of the incident of the Karakumneft tanker that ran aground on the rocks at the Iturup Island, the EMERCOM Far Eastern regional centre told Itar-Tass.

In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk the helicopter will take on board the equipment for pumping oil from the emergency vessel, hoses, as well as a group of specialists from Sakhalin. There are several options for pumping out petroleum products. If the weather is favourable, the Marat tanker will be able to closely approach the Karakumneft. It is planned to reload petroleum products to the vessel. Another possible option is to pump petroleum products from the distressed tanker to the shore using hoses, the EMERCOM Far Eastern centre reported.

According to preliminary information, no leaks of oil from the Karakumneft tanker have been detected in the emergency area. The vessel has on board more than 1,000 tonnes of diesel fuel.

Specialists of the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk sea rescue sub-centre are coordinating all actions aimed at coping with the aftermath of the tanker’s grounding.