The chemical tanker Wine Trader, flying a San Marino flag, caught fire at about 7:00 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Thursday, roughly 13 nautical miles southeast of Sulina. Romanian authorities confirmed that five crew members were rescued while seven remain missing, out of 12 aboard. The ship was not carrying any cargo, and its exact cause of ignition is still under scrutiny.
The incident comes amid a spate of drone attacks on commercial vessels off Romania and Bulgaria since early June, a spillover from the ongoing Ukraine war. Defences Minister Radu Miruta said investigations are underway to determine if a suspected Russian drone struck the vessel, underscoring the growing danger to maritime traffic in the Black Sea.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by high waves and rough seas, according to the Interior Ministry. Several naval vessels and two Black Hawk helicopters have joined the search, but the crew’s safety remains uncertain until conditions improve. The Naval Authority reported that the ship’s crew had attempted to extinguish the flames before help arrived.
The next phase will involve a full forensic investigation into the blaze, with Romanian and Bulgarian authorities planning to tow the vessel to port to collect debris for analysis. Meanwhile, the search for the missing crew will continue until a safe rescue can be achieved, and the incident will likely prompt a review of counter‑drone measures in the Black Sea region.