Tanker struck and ablaze off Romania coast; seven sailors missing
Romanian president said a chemical tanker and another ship were struck by drones; seven of 12 crew are unaccounted for.
A chemical tanker caught fire off Romania’s coast and seven of its twelve crew members are reported missing, Romanian authorities said on Thursday.
Romanian President Nikushor Dan confirmed that the vessel had been struck by drones, along with a second ship. The tanker, named Trgovec so vino and sailing under the flag of San Marino, was not carrying cargo when the incident occurred.
The ship reported explosions and a subsequent blaze while it was located 24 kilometres east of the Danube mouth, near Sulina. Rescue and firefighting teams were dispatched after the emergency call, and operations to locate the missing crew and contain the fire are ongoing.
Officials have described the vessel as a chemical tanker, raising concerns about potential environmental consequences in the Danube Delta area and the Black Sea coast. Authorities say they are investigating the cause of the explosions and the reported drone strikes.
The second vessel hit in the same incident has not been publicly identified, and details about the condition of any survivors were limited. Romanian agencies coordinating the response have appealed for regional cooperation as they continue search efforts.
Further information has been limited as investigations proceed and rescue teams work at the scene. Updates are expected as authorities establish the full circumstances of the attack and account for all crew members.
Photo: DPA)
