Eight sailors unaccounted for after tanker catches fire off Romania
Eight of the 12 crew members aboard the tanker Wine Trader are missing after a drone attack set it ablaze off Romania’s Black Sea coast. Romanian authorities are searching in rough seas, while the incident adds to a series of attacks on vessels in the region and heightens concern about shipping security.
The San Marino-flagged tanker was 13 nautical miles east of the Danube mouth and was travelling from Tunisia to Romania when it reported explosions at about 07:00 local time on Thursday. Two helicopters and two rescue boats have been deployed, with rescuers prioritising the four crew members confirmed alive. Romania and Bulgaria are due to discuss whether to seek Nato consultations under Article 4; responsibility for the latest attack was not stated in the article.
- Eight crew are missing after the Wine Trader caught fire off Romania.
- Four crew members are confirmed alive as rescue efforts continue.
- The attack adds to growing concern over Black Sea shipping security.
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The Black Sea is a major route for trade between countries including Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Russia. Its western shore includes the Danube Delta, where the river meets the sea, and nearby ports and shipping lanes handle fuel and other goods.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Black Sea has become a dangerous area for commercial vessels as well as military forces. Attacks and the risk of mines have raised concerns about whether ships can travel safely and keep trade moving.
Romania and Bulgaria are members of Nato, a defence alliance whose members consult if one believes its security is threatened. Article 4 allows such discussions; it does not itself mean that Nato will take military action.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Eight crew missing after drone attack leaves tanker ablaze off Romania’s coast”.