Drones set a tanker ablaze off Romania. Three weeks later, human remains turned up during repairs in Varna
Prosecutors have ordered DNA tests to identify the dead, whose remains were severely damaged.
On 15 October, a tanker named Wine Trader was set ablaze by drones off the coast of Romania. Seven out of the twelve crew members went missing, and three weeks later, their bodies were discovered aboard the vessel. The crew members had reportedly perished due to the intense fire, as survivors stated that it was too dangerous for them to enter the accommodation area.
Since early October, at least nine merchant ships have been targeted by drones off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria, resulting in 34 deaths or missing persons. The route past both coasts is crucial for Ukraine, which relies on it due to Russia's targeting of its Black Sea grain ports and grain-carrying ships.
The tanker, which was flagged under the San Marino flag and not Bulgarian, arrived at a Varna repair yard in early November. During repairs, badly damaged remains were found, and the regional prosecutor's office described the crew as non-Bulgarian citizens. Romania is conducting its own investigation, while Romania's Naval Authority reported that the ship carried no cargo.
The 15 October strike took place near the mouth of the Sulina Canal, the Danube's outlet to the Black Sea, and the ship was en route to Moldova to load vegetable oil, according to The Insider. Salvadore Adorno, from the ship's management company, confirmed that the footage shows the Wine Trader and stated that he believes Russia is responsible.
Romania attributes the attacks to Russia, with Acting Defense Minister Radu Miruță proposing a joint NATO command for the Black Sea and Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu blaming Russia following a series of drone attacks on merchant ships within a 24-hour period.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
