Seven crew members from Wine Trader were missing and five had been rescued after explosions and fire off Romania. The San Marino-flagged tanker was near the Sulina mouth of the Danube. High waves complicated rescue efforts. President Nicușor Dan said drones struck the vessel, but responsibility remained unestablished. This is a separate ship from Yara J, whose earlier fire was already under investigation.
Romanian rescuers searched for seven missing Wine Trader crew members on Thursday after explosions and a fire near the Danube’s Sulina mouth. Five of the tanker’s 12 sailors had been rescued. The San Marino-flagged vessel was about 13 nautical miles from the canal and was sailing from Tunisia to Romania. President Nicușor Dan said drones struck the tanker, while authorities continued gathering information about what happened.[1], [2]
Romania sent two Black Hawk helicopters and two rescue boats to the operation. Its Interior Ministry said very high waves made safe rescue difficult for both survivors and rescuers. Authorities were working both to find the missing sailors and to reach crew members known to be alive. The emergency response was concentrated around the stricken tanker off the Sulina mouth of the Danube.[1]
Dan was preparing discussions with Bulgaria’s leadership and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on protection for regional shipping, including additional equipment. Possible consultations under NATO’s Article 4 were on the agenda. Russia said it had hit two vessels carrying military cargo toward Odesa but did not name them. That statement does not establish Wine Trader’s cargo or identify who struck it. The tanker’s location and missing crew remain central to Romania’s rescue operation.[1]
