Aysu Bicer
15 October 2026•Update: 15 October 2026
Eight of the 12 crew members aboard a San Marino-flagged tanker are missing after the vessel caught fire following reported explosions off Romania’s Black Sea coast, Romanian naval authorities said Thursday.
The Wine Trader reported several explosions and a fire at around 7 am local time (0500GMT) while sailing from Tunisia to Romania, according to information provided by the authorities.
The tanker was located 13 nautical miles (24 kilometers) east of the mouth of the River Danube near Sulina when the incident occurred.
A search and rescue operation is underway for the missing crew members, with two Black Hawk helicopters and two rescue boats deployed, Romanian authorities said.
The immediate priority is to reach the four crew members confirmed to be alive, while ensuring the safety of rescue teams amid reports of very high waves in the area.
The Romanian Interior Ministry released video footage showing a helicopter hovering above the vessel.
The incident came amid a series of reported drone attacks on vessels in the western Black Sea region.
On Tuesday, two merchant ships were struck by drones farther south along the coast of Bulgaria, Romania’s neighbor.
One of the vessels sank, leaving 11 crew members missing. Bulgaria said it suspected Russia was behind the attack and summoned the Russian envoy.
Russia said two cargo ships carrying military cargo bound for Ukraine’s Odesa port had been hit during a sea crossing but did not identify the vessels.
Meanwhile, the presidents of Romania and Bulgaria are due to discuss Thursday whether to invoke Article 4 of the NATO treaty.
