Off the coast of Romania, an unidentified drone attacked a gas tanker heading for a port in the Odesa region: details
This was reported by the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, the Romanian emergency services and local media.
Attack on a gas tanker off the coast of Romania: what we know
According to the Romanian authorities, the incident occurred at around 00:05 outside the country’s territorial waters — approximately 20 nautical miles (around 37 km) off the coast near Sfântu Gheorghe. The Liberian-flagged vessel had set sail from Alexandria in Egypt and was heading for the Ukrainian port of Reni, carrying over 3,790 tonnes of propane.
Following an explosion and fire in the superstructure, the crew of 17 were forced to take shelter in the bow of the vessel, as they were unable to evacuate the ship unaided.
The search and rescue operation was coordinated by the Constanța Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Constanța). The vessels SAR Apollo, SAR Artemis and a Coast Guard vessel were dispatched to the scene. All 17 seafarers were successfully evacuated.
Three crew members were injured. Two of them suffered burns covering approximately 10–15 per cent of their bodies, whilst another sustained multiple injuries. All the injured are in hospital.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan stated that the state authorities are on high alert and are investigating the circumstances of the incident. According to him, it is likely that the incident is linked to Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.
Sources at the Lower Danube Administration in Galați report that the vessel may have been attacked by a military drone, although the drone’s origin has not yet been established.
The Romanian Ministry of National Defence has issued a navigational warning urging vessels to avoid the area where the tanker was damaged.
A Romanian tugboat is currently stationed alongside the LPG Gas Lisbon tanker to prevent it from drifting and to ensure the safety of shipping.
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