Constanta, Romania— A San Marino-flagged tanker caught fire off Romania's Black Sea coast on October 20 after being hit by a drone strike, leaving seven crew members missing and the vessel burning out of control.
The tanker was sailing in international waters about 35 nautical miles east of Constanta when it was struck. Romanian maritime authorities said they received a distress call just before 6 a.m. The crew reported an explosion on deck, then fire. Communication was lost minutes later. The ship's automatic identification system went dark.
Romanian Coast Guard vessels and two commercial tugs were dispatched. By 8 a.m., they found the tanker engulfed in flames. Its hull was listing. Thick black smoke was visible from shore. Rescuers recovered no crew. Seven remain unaccounted for. The total number of crew on board has not been officially released. Sources said at least 15 were on the manifest.
The attack marks a dangerous expansion of drone warfare into the western Black Sea. The tanker, carrying refined petroleum products, was not under sanctions, according to Romanian officials. Who launched the drone is not confirmed. Ukrainian and Russian forces have both used long-range naval drones in the region. No group has claimed responsibility.
Romania's Ministry of Defence said it scrambled fighter jets to patrol the area and is monitoring for secondary explosions or pollution. The sea around the vessel has been closed to traffic. The environment ministry warned of a potential oil spill. Satellite images show a slick forming downwind of the burning ship.
Crew nationalities have not been released. The ship manager, based in Greece, said in a short statement that it is working with authorities and that the families have been notified. "Our priority is the search for our missing colleagues," the statement said. The company declined to discuss cargo details or route.
NATO's Maritime Command said it is aware of the incident. Romania, a NATO member, has reported an increase in drone debris washing ashore in recent months. Last month, fragments of a drone were found near Sfantu Gheorghe. Officials said this strike, if confirmed as a deliberate attack on commercial shipping, would be the first so close to the Romanian coast.
Firefighting efforts are hampered by the nature of the cargo and by weather. Winds are pushing the tanker toward the Romanian exclusive economic zone. Officials said they will attempt to board once the fire subsides. Nightfall will make search operations harder.
The search continues. No survivors have been found. No wreckage from a drone has been recovered.
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