Avellon Williams
DOMINICA – Following Russian missile strikes, a Dominican-flagged dry cargo ship sank at berth in the besieged southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.
According to Dominica’s registry, the Azburg was fired upon heavily after being intentionally shelled twice a day earlier.
“The vessel was heavily fired upon by Russian armed forces. Specific characteristics of firing on the vessel remain unknown, crew reported shelling, bombing, and repeated hits by missiles, causing a fire in the engine room.”
The vessel sank early on Tuesday, according to Eric Dawicki, deputy administrator of maritime affairs at the registry. He noted that some environmental problems were expected as a result of the sinking.
“It certainly will create navigational impediments at the dock and we are certainly concerned,” Dawicki told Reuters.
“The indiscriminate shelling of a merchant’s vessel with a civilian crew with no place to seek refuge is the lowest of lows,” Dawicki added.
In addition to one crew member needing medical treatment, the remaining crew members were evacuated onto nearby vessels.
According to British security firm Ambrey Intelligence and the registry, the vessel arrived in Mariupol on February 23 and was unable to leave Ukrainian waters due to the closure of the port.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) of the United Nations reported there were still 86 merchant ships stranded in Ukrainian ports as of March 30, with about 1,000 seafarers unable to leave.
An inquiry to Russian officials did not immediately yield a response. According to Moscow, it is not targeting civilians in its so-called “special operation” to demilitarize Ukraine.
