Rescuers are searching for seven missing crew from a tanker that caught fire off Romania's Black Sea coast after Russian drones strayed into national airspace, Romanian officials said. The strikes follow attacks on at least five other cargo ships near Romania and Bulgaria over the past 10 days.
Rescuers were searching for seven missing crew on Thursday from one of two chemical tankers that caught fire overnight just outside Romanian territorial waters, Romanian officials said. They said Russian drones had strayed into national airspace.
Romanian President Nicusor Dan said the two ships had been struck by drones but declined to say whether they were Russian. He added that only a few hours had passed and Romania was waiting for more information.
Seven of Wine Trader's 12 crew missing
Romania's naval authority received an emergency alert from the San Marino-flagged tanker Wine Trader. Seven of its 12 crew were missing and five were rescued. The ship was hit 13 nautical miles southeast of the Sulina canal, one mile outside Romanian waters.
The interior ministry sent two Black Hawk helicopters and two ships with medical staff to the search. However, it said the rescue could not be done safely at the moment because of very big waves.
Second tanker and other vessels targeted
The Comoros-flagged tanker Yara J also caught fire late on Wednesday, 8-10 miles southeast of Sulina and inside national waters. All its crew were safe. Romanian authorities initially said it was not clear whether it had been attacked.
NATO said two other vessels had been targeted overnight: the bulk carrier Sea Destiny inside Romanian waters and the tanker Dania J, moored in the Ukrainian Danube port of Izmail. It did not mention casualties.
Attacks raise food supply concerns
The incidents follow drone strikes on at least five other cargo ships near the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria over the past 10 days. At least 23 sailors were lost in those strikes.
Increasing attacks on Black Sea shipping in recent months have threatened to cause a global food crisis, because Russia, Ukraine and Romania are all major grain exporters. According to Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu: "We're looking at the Black Sea as a global food artery."
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said EU leaders would discuss a proposed moratorium on attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea.
Source: Reuters via Investing.com
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