The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major ("Big Dipper") sank in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria. The preliminary cause of the crash, the Spanish media called the explosion on the ship.
It is reported that 14 crew members were rescued, they were taken to Cartagena, Spain, two more were missing.
The cargo ship followed from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, where it was supposed to arrive on January 22. When the ship, which was heading east along the Strait of Gibraltar, was in the waters between the Spanish municipality of Aguilas and the Algerian city of Oran, an explosion occurred in the engine room. The "Big Dipper" slowed down and deviated from the course, then the roll began.
A rescue operation was organized at the scene. It involved several ships nearby, as well as the Spanish rescue vessel Clara Campoamor and a patrol boat of the Spanish Navy.
It is noted that the vessel belongs to Oboronlogistics, it is known that it transported port cranes for the terminal in Vladivostok as part of the development of the Northern Sea Route.