Ship Carrying Chemical Products Catches Fire Off the Coast of Romania After Russian Drone Intrusion

On the morning of October 15, a fire broke out on the Wine Trader, a ship flying the San Marino flag and designed to transport chemical products, in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania.

This was reported by Romania’s state radio station.

There were 12 crew members on board. Five of them were rescued, but the fate of the other seven remains unknown.

The incident occurred after Russian drones entered Romanian airspace, according to Romanian officials.

At around 7:00 a.m., the vessel, which was located approximately 13 nautical miles (24 kilometers) southeast of the port of Sulina, sent out a distress signal due to a fire on board.

Naval and air forces, border police, and units of the Romanian Ministry of the Interior have been deployed to the search-and-rescue operation.

Two Black Hawk helicopters equipped with personnel evacuation gear, a search-and-rescue vessel, and other ships carrying medical teams have been dispatched to the scene.

According to Romanian authorities, high waves are hampering rescue efforts and currently prevent the safe evacuation of people. The search-and-rescue operation is ongoing.

The cause of the fire on the Wine Trader has not yet been determined. Rescuers are continuing their work in the area of the accident, where seven crew members remain, their fate unknown.

On October 14, in Romanian territorial waters, an unidentified drone struck the tanker YARA J, which was sailing under the flag of the Comoros.