A fire broke out on two chemical tankers in Romanian territorial waters in the Black Sea at night. A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched following the incidents on ships anchored near the Sulina Canal, where the Danube River opens to the Black Sea.
According to Reuters, based on Romanian officials, 7 sailors on one of the ships disappeared in the fires that broke out after Russian UAVs entered Romanian airspace.
Romanian officials announced that it has not yet been determined whether the fires on the ships were caused by UAV attacks.
The Romanian Maritime Authority reported that an emergency call for help was received from the chemical tanker Wine Trader, flagged by San Marino.
According to the statement of the authorities, 5 of the 12 crew members on the ship were rescued, and a search and rescue operation was launched to find the 7 missing sailors.
The Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that two Black Hawk helicopters and two ships with medical teams were sent to the region to support the work.
However, adverse weather conditions in the Black Sea make rescue efforts difficult. In the statement made by the ministry, it was said: "Currently, the rescue operation cannot be carried out safely due to very high waves."
A FIRE EMERGED IN THE SECOND TANKER.
In another incident in the region, a fire broke out on Wednesday night on the Comoros-flagged chemical and oil tanker Yara J.
Romanian authorities reported that all crew on the ship were safe and announced that it was being investigated whether the fire was caused by a UAV attack.
It was stated that both ships were anchored near the Sulina Canal, where the Danube River, which Ukraine uses extensively for commercial transportation, opens to the Black Sea.
Ships in the region frequently wait in line to pass due to adverse weather conditions and heavy maritime traffic.
5 MORE SHIPS WERE TARGETED IN THE LAST 10 DAYS
The latest incidents occurred at a time when attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea were increasing.
According to Reuters, at least 5 cargo ships off the coast of Romania and Bulgaria have been the target of UAV attacks in the last 10 days. At least 23 sailors were reported killed or missing in these attacks.
While the previous attacks took place outside the territorial waters of NATO member countries, it was noteworthy that the last two fires occurred in Romanian territorial waters.
Romania shares a 614-kilometer border with Ukraine, most of which runs along the Danube River. The country had announced that its airspace had been violated many times by Russian UAVs since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Russian attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea ports have made Kiev's administration more dependent on ports on the Danube and shipping routes close to the Romanian and Bulgarian coasts.
Ukraine, on the other hand, targeted Russian ships located near the mouth of the Don River in the Sea of Azov.
The increase in attacks on commercial ships in the region also causes concerns for world grain trade. Since Russia, Ukraine and Romania are among the important grain exporters, the disruption of transportation in the Black Sea is considered a risk that could threaten the global food supply.
SECURITY WARNING FROM NATO COUNTRIES
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu made statements regarding the developments in the Black Sea at a security conference held in Warsaw this week.
Describing the Black Sea as a vital route for global food trade, Toiu said that the region has become extremely dangerous in terms of sailor losses in recent months.
For this reason, Toiu emphasized that deterrence and defense investments should be increased.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that European Union leaders will discuss the moratorium proposal to stop attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea on Thursday.
