Romanian rescuers resumed their search for seven missing sailors on Friday (16 October) after a drone strike set a chemical tanker ablaze near the country’s Black Sea coast. The attacks have raised fresh security concerns along a vital regional trade route.
The seven missing sailors were among 12 crew members aboard the San Marino-flagged tanker Wine Trader, which was hit about 13 nautical miles southeast of the Sulina Canal, just outside Romanian territorial waters. Five sailors were rescued, but strong winds and rough seas hampered search efforts.
“Our colleagues returned today to search the ship and continue the mission to identify the rest of the crew,” an interior ministry spokesperson told Reuters.
Romanian authorities received reports of two tanker attacks within approximately 12 hours. The Wine Trader was struck early on Thursday, while the Comoros-flagged chemical and oil tanker Yara J caught fire following a drone strikeinside Romanian territorial waters late on Wednesday.
All 17 crew members aboard the Yara J were safe after putting out the fire themselves, according to Romanian naval authorities. The vessel was later towed to the port of Constanța.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan said both vessels had been struck by drones but did not identify those responsible. A NATO military source said the drones were Russian in origin.
Romanian authorities deployed helicopters and rescue vessels as part of the search operation, while the five Wine Trader survivors were taken to Constanța for medical care.
The strikes come amid a wave of attacks on commercial shipping in the western Black Sea. At least five other cargo ships have been hit near the coasts of Romania and neighbouring Bulgaria in the past 10 days, with at least 23 sailors reported dead or missing.
The two tankers were anchored near the mouth of the Sulina Canal, which connects the Danube River to the Black Sea and serves as a vital route for Ukrainian exports.
Russian attacks on Ukrainian Black Sea ports have forced Kyiv to depend increasingly on Danube ports and shipping routes near Romania and Bulgaria.
“The situation in the Black Sea is serious,” Dan said, warning that attacks on commercial vessels put seafarers, global trade and critical infrastructure at risk.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would continue to work with its Black Sea members and adapt its deterrence and defence posture as needed.
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