Fire breaks out aboard tanker near Sochi, beaches closed

A fire broke out aboard a tanker in the Black Sea near the Russian resort city of Sochi on Tuesday, and authorities closed beaches in the Sirius federal territory, according to local officials.

Dmitry Plishkin, head of the Sirius administration, said in a statement on “Telegram” that water and air quality were being continuously monitored.

Officials did not disclose the cause of the fire or say whether anyone had been injured. The tanker’s origin was also not specified.

Some “Telegram” channels claimed the vessel may have caught fire in an attack involving uncrewed surface vessels or strike drones. That claim has not been confirmed.