World · Europe · 15 mins ago
Fire on tanker off Romania leaves eight missing as Black Sea attacks raise concern
A fire on the tanker Wine Trader left eight people missing off Romania’s Black Sea coast on Thursday; four of the 12 people aboard were rescued.
The San Marino-flagged ship was travelling from Tunisia to Romania when the fire broke out about 13 nautical miles southeast of Sulina.
Romanian authorities launched a search and rescue operation, but the cause of the fire was not immediately clear.
The incident came amid a series of fires and drone attacks affecting commercial ships in the Black Sea near Romania and Bulgaria.
Several crews have been killed or remain missing in recent incidents, while other sailors have been evacuated.
Romania’s defence minister said an investigation was under way, and radar had not shown a drone heading towards another tanker that caught fire in Romanian waters on Wednesday.
The latest fire adds to fears for shipping and trade routes near NATO members on the Black Sea; the sources do not say what will happen next in the investigation.
A fire broke out aboard the Comoros-flagged chemical and oil tanker Yara J in Romanian territorial waters late on Wednesday, October 14.
The crew was safe and evacuated, and Romanian authorities said an investigation was pending.
Defence Minister Radu Miruta said it was unclear whether a drone had hit the ship, and radar systems did not show a drone heading toward it.
The incident came amid a series of attacks and fires involving commercial ships in the Black Sea, raising concerns about risks to shipping.
Romania and Bulgaria said they would work together to press for stronger counter-drone measures within the EU and NATO.
- Who
- The ship was the Comoros-flagged chemical and oil tanker Yara J. Its crew was safe and evacuated.
- What
- A fire broke out aboard the tanker; authorities were investigating whether a drone was involved.
- When
- Late Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Romanian territorial waters, about 8 to 10 nautical miles southeast of the Sulina canal.
- Why
- The cause was not clear. Authorities said an investigation was pending.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Romanian authorities were notified that the Yara J had caught fire in territorial waters, and its crew evacuated.
News reports said Romanian authorities were investigating whether a drone was involved in the fire.
- Vessel
- Yara J, a Comoros-flagged chemical and oil tanker
- Location
- 8 to 10 nautical miles southeast of the Sulina canal
- Crew
- Safe and evacuated
- Fire reported
- Late Wednesday, October 14, 2026
- Investigation
- Authorities said it was unclear whether a drone hit the ship
7 sources
Russia suspected of striking two tankers in Nato waters
Romania launches rescue after another Black Sea ship fire leaves 8 missing
Eight crew missing in tanker fire off Romania's coast
Romania launches rescue after ship fire off Black Sea coast
Two ships ablaze in Romanian Black Sea waters, 7 sailors missing
Ship catches fire in Romania's waters amid rising attacks in the Black Sea
Commercial ship catches fire in Romanian waters in latest Black Sea incident
What people are saying
These drone attacks are direct consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and endanger not only shipping in our region but also vital agricultural supplies to other continents
We agreed that Romania and Bulgaria will work closely together to push for stronger counter-drone measures within the EU and NATO