The number of people wishing to leave the peninsula towards mainland Russia continues to grow, while the capacity of the Kerch ferry crossing remains the same. As previously reported, drivers are forced to spend up to two days in queues before getting on board a ferry.
The situation was further complicated by bad weather. On the night from Sunday to Monday, a storm broke out, due to which three ferries and one catamaran could not leave the port — eight in total.
"At the moment, 631 cars are waiting to board at the port of Kavkaz, and 1,800 cars at the port of Krym. The crossing is provided by five ferries, while the transit time through the Kerch Strait has increased. On the side of the port of Krym, three holding areas are open for cars waiting for the ferry: two are located near the port, one on the approach to Kerch," says a statement from the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization "Unified Transport Directorate".
The situation is likely to become even more tense: weather forecasters predict worsening weather and stronger winds, which will further complicate the operation of the crossing.
People languishing in queues are at the limit of patience. Quarrels and conflicts break out here and there. Videos of such incidents are increasingly appearing online.
