The environmental disaster in Tuapse sparked a debate that generated hundreds of comments.

Oil products spilled into the sea and onto the beach in Tuapse after booms failed, the task force reported. Social media users expressed regret over the suffering caused to nature and animals.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," the open fire in the port of Tuapse has been extinguished, the Kuban task force reported on the evening of April 23. Residents of Tuapse called on authorities to switch all schoolchildren to distance learning. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of toxins released into the atmosphere after the oil fire, the scientist noted.

The Krasnodar Krai operational headquarters reported today that oil booms failed to contain an oil slick near Tuapse.

"The water level in the Tuapse River rose, causing oil products to spill over previously deployed oil booms. A collection operation was organized downstream in the riverbed, where some of the oil products spilled into the sea and onto the shoreline," the report stated.

Rosnefteflot, the professional emergency rescue team ECOSPAS, and the marine terminal are involved in the cleanup. Kuban-SPAS has dispatched rescuers from the Adler, Apsheron, Krasnodar, Sochi, and Tuapse detachments to assist. A total of 66 people and 14 units are involved. Equipment, two watercraft, and two oil recovery units were deployed, the Krasnodar Krai task force reported today.

Social media users have left hundreds of comments regarding the disaster in Tuapse

In the comments section of the "Caucasian Knot" Facebook page*, posts about the events in Tuapse have garnered hundreds of comments. Commenters discuss the causes of the incident and draw parallels with other events, rather than the specific consequences for residents, the environment, and beaches.

For example, a report about how, amid air pollution and a new "oil rain" in Tuapse, local residents are rarely going outside and are prohibiting children from playing in their yards had garnered 160 comments by 6:15 PM Moscow time. A report about the ongoing fire at the Tuapse marine terminal posing a danger to residents had garnered 13 comments. A report about benzene, xylene, and soot concentrations in the air in areas adjacent to the port of Tuapse garnering two to three times the normal levels received 72 comments, while a report about Tuapse residents considering the incident an environmental disaster received 83 comments.

Users expressed compassion for the animals and concern about the potential environmental and health consequences. They noted that not only people but also the environment are suffering.

"I feel sorry for the birds," commented Artem Mizra-Avakyan on the post's mention of five birds found completely covered in oil products.

"Well, I feel sorry for the animals, that's a fact," noted Anastasia Kuzminska.

Many users express their opinions in an ironic or sarcastic tone, trying to express their attitude toward the events without engaging in direct confrontation.

A significant portion of the comments are related to political conclusions and assessments of current events, including the military operation in Ukraine. The wording ranges from subdued to emotional, and the comments are often left in Ukrainian or by users with Ukrainian surnames.

It's worth noting that none of the users share personal experiences of being in Tuapse these days; they only cite external sources.

"All the villages further down the gorge are already covered in fuel oil. They're writing that the smoke has already reached Goryachy Klyuch," writes Irina Granovskaya, without citing a source.

Photos of the smog were previously posted, in particular, on the Telegram channel "Goryachiy Klyuch News" on April 22. Residents noted in the comments that the city smelled of burning.

According to Yandex.Maps, Tuapse is 47 kilometers from Goryachiy Klyuch.

Cleanup of the aftermath of the "black rain" has begun in Tuapse

As a reminder, on April 22, authorities admitted that in areas near the sea terminal (Grozneft, Sortirovka, and Zvezdny, as well as part of the Central District), benzene, xylene, and soot concentrations in the air exceeded permissible limits by two to three times. These data were obtained from measurements taken on the evening of April 21; air quality measurements were not taken on April 22 due to rain. "The situation will return to normal as soon as the fire is extinguished," the Kuban emergency response center stated.

Meanwhile, the city experienced an "oil rain," schools and kindergartens near the seaport were closed, and residents complained of a burning smell.

Today, authorities reported the start of clearing the streets of the aftermath of the fire. The cleanup is being carried out by employees of the Department for Comprehensive Improvement of Territories. Since this morning, special equipment has been working on October Revolution Square without the use of chemicals to protect the environment, Mayor Sergei Boyko reported.

"We began cleaning the city center. We will gradually move on to other public spaces. Particular attention will be paid to children's playgrounds, sports fields, and social institutions," he said.

* Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) is banned in Russia.