Suspected "shadow fleet" tanker damaged by explosions in Italy's Savona Port

An oil tanker suspected to be carrying Russian crude despite sanctions suffered two onboard explosions while it was berthed at the Port of Savona on Italy's northwestern coast on Saturday, February 15.

The Malta-flagged Seajewel was unloading its cargo of crude in the early morning (local time) of Saturday when the twin explosions occurred.

Italian media reported that the explosions left a hull breach just above the waterline. However, the cargo tanks' safety chambers have remained intact, thus preventing oil from spilling into the sea.

Local authorities have meanwhile assured that there are no injuries among the crew and that the tanker is not at risk of sinking despite the damage.

Divers have been inspecting the tanker's hull as part of an investigation into the incident.

Port officials have released a statement saying that the personnel who were supervising the unloading of crude from the tanker noticed "some anomalies in the unloading procedure" and consulted with the port authority to order that the procedure be stopped as a precaution.

The Public Prosecutor's Office in Savona, with the coordination of other prosecutors and anti-terrorism experts, has meanwhile begun a separate investigation into the incident.

Seajewel was laden with Russian oil slated for distribution in Europe in contravention of Western sanctions, Ukrainian newspaper Ukrainska Pravda said on Monday, February 17.