Eight missing after tanker fire in Black Sea off Romania

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 09:38 · Archive

Eight of 12 crew members are missing after a tanker caught fire in the Black Sea off Romania's coast on Thursday morning. The San Marino-flagged vessel reported explosions and a fire at around 7am local time, approximately 13 nautical miles southeast of the Romanian city of Sulina. Four crew members are safe. Romania's Naval Authority has launched a major search and rescue operation, deploying a ship and helicopter to the area.

There are unconfirmed reports from nearby ships that the tanker was hit by drones. Romanian defence minister Radu Miruta told Digi24 television that whether the vessel was struck by a drone or not, an investigation is underway. He described the incident as a matter of 'significant gravity' given that such incidents are occurring in Romanian territorial waters.

The incident comes after a suspected drone attack on another tanker, the Yara J, on Wednesday off Romania's coast. Romanian authorities are investigating that incident as well. The west coast of the Black Sea has seen a spate of attacks in recent weeks. Swarms of Russian drones were detected overnight near the scene of Thursday's fire, close to Ukraine's Snake Island. On Tuesday, two merchant ships were struck by drones off Bulgaria's coast, with one vessel sinking; Bulgaria said it suspected Russia was behind that attack.

How it is being reported

• Eight crew missing in tanker fire off Romania's coastEight of 12 crew members are missing after a ship reported a fire and explosion in the Black Sea off Romania.BBC News · 15 Oct, 09:22
• Eight missing and huge rescue operation after fire breaks out on tanker in Black SeaRomania says eight people are missing after a fire broke out on a vessel flying the San Marino flag in the Black SeaThe Mirror · 15 Oct, 09:03

In this story: Romania · Black Sea · Sulina · Russia · Ukraine · Bulgaria · Radu Miruta

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