LONDON, December 27. /TASS/. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Spain’s Cartagena has ordered the captain of Norway’s Oslo Carrier 3 ship not to take on board the sailors of the Ursa Major dry cargo ship, which belongs to Russia's Oboronlogistika LLC, as Spanish rescuers sent specialists to the wreck site, the press service of Bulkship Management, the ship's owner, said.
"The rescue operation was handled by the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center in Cartagena, who is responsible for such operations in that area. MRCC ordered the Master not to take crew from vessel in distress on board as their rescue boat was on the way to the scene," the company said in a statement posted on its website.
A lifeboard with Ursa Major sailors was attached to the Norwegian ship while waiting for the Spanish emergency services. "The weather was good, none of the crew in the lifeboat were injured and there was no imminent danger to them," the statement pointed out.
The Ursa Major bulk carrier sank in the Mediterranean Sea. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the ship sank after an explosion occurred in the engine room. The incident took place in international waters between Spain and Algeria.
The Oboronlogistika LLC press service reported that a terrorist attack was committed against Russia’s Ursa Major dry cargo ship. According to the rescued crew members, on December 23, 2024, at 1:50 pm Moscow time (10:50 am GMT), there were three consecutive explosions on the starboard side in the area of the stern. The vessel developed a 25-degree list - a clear sign water had begun to flood the ship’s compartments.