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Khoryv sinks off Romania as search continues for missing sailors

The Comoros-flagged Khoryv sank outside Romanian territorial waters after a fire and severe damage. Nearby shipping and Romanian rescue units helped recover sailors, while poor weather prevented helicopter support. President Nicușor Dan said a drone had struck the vessel. How the fire began and responsibility remain independently unconfirmed as searches continue for missing crew members.

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An orange-and-white rescue craft carrying a Romanian flag crosses rough open water.

Fire leaves Khoryv beyond rescue

The commercial ship Khoryv, registered under the flag of Comoros, sank in the Black Sea off Romania on October 23. Romanian authorities described a fire, extensive damage and the vessel turning over outside the country’s territorial waters, east of Constanta. Other shipping and official rescue teams responded after the distress alert. A nearby commercial vessel recovered sailors from the water, and survivors were then moved onto a Romanian Coast Guard vessel. Searches continued for crew members who had not been located.[1], [2]

Romanian authorities subsequently announced that the survivors had arrived safely on shore. The crew aboard Khoryv included citizens of Ukraine and Azerbaijan. The Romanian maritime rescue agency and units belonging to the Interior Ministry participated in the response.[1]

Poor visibility prevents helicopter support

Bad weather and limited visibility prevented a helicopter from joining the rescue. The Interior Ministry placed an aircraft from its aviation inspectorate on pre-alert so that it could assist if conditions improved. The operation therefore depended on vessels already at sea and rescue craft dispatched to the area. On shore, the emergency response at Constanta port was expanded to receive the sailors. Ambulances, a mobile intensive-care unit, vehicles capable of carrying several patients and an advanced medical post were prepared for their arrival.[1]

Dan attributes the incident to a drone strike

Romanian President Nicușor Dan said a drone had hit Khoryv and linked the incident to Russia’s war against Ukraine. He urged Moscow to accept ceasefire proposals. The cause of the fire and the identity of any attacker have not been independently confirmed. The ship had left a Turkish port for Sulina in Romania. Although described as a vessel suitable for carrying ore and crude oil, its cargo on this voyage was not established.[1]

References

  1. News sourceHotNews.roKhoryv sinks off Romania as search and rescue continues↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceSAFETY4SEAKhoryv fire and capsizing trigger rescue operation off Romania↩
Chip wars and the supply chainRussia-Ukraine warMiddle East balance of powerEnergy transition and climate

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