Seven missing after tanker catches fire off Romanian coast
The incident came after a drone was spotted in the area by Romanian authorities.
Seven crew members are currently unaccounted for following a tanker fire off the Romanian coast in the Black Sea on Thursday morning. The incident occurred approximately 13 nautical miles from Sulina, a Romanian port near the Ukrainian border. A distress call was made by the San Marino-flagged chemical tanker at 7 a.m. local time.
Romanian authorities, including border police and aviation units, responded to aid the crew. So far, five individuals have been rescued. Another tanker experienced a fire near Sulina on Wednesday, but authorities confirmed that all crew members were safe. No cause has been provided for either fire event by Romanian authorities. Notably, this occurred shortly after the country's defense ministry issued an air alert around Snake Island, a Ukrainian territory situated about 40 kilometers from the location of the tanker distress signal.
A drone was also observed near Sulina overnight, only to vanish from radar afterward. Reports indicate that at least five commercial vessels have been targeted by suspected drone strikes in the Black Sea over the past two weeks, disrupting a crucial trade route responsible for 95% of Ukraine's grain exports. These incidents have raised concerns, particularly as Romanian President Nicusor Dan prepares to meet with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for discussions amidst the ongoing European Council summit in Brussels today at 1:30 p.m.
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