Sofia, October 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Eight crew members are missing after a vessel sailing under the flag of San Marino caught fire in the Black Sea near Romania on Thursday morning. Four of the 12 people on board were reported safe, according to Romanian media reports citing the Romanian Naval Authority.
The incident occurred approximately 13 nautical miles southeast of Sulina, the authority announced. A search-and-rescue operation was underway to locate the missing crew members.
The fire comes amid a series of incidents involving commercial shipping in the Black Sea, where drone attacks have raised concerns about the safety of civilian vessels and maritime trade.
On Wednesday, the Comoros-flagged chemical and oil tanker Yara J, which was anchored in Romanian territorial waters, was reportedly struck by a drone and caught fire, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency.
The latest incidents have also prompted concern from the United Nations over attacks on civilian shipping and their potential consequences for international trade.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned attacks on civilian vessels, including incidents reported in the Black Sea on Tuesday. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said the attacks had become increasingly worrying because of their impact on ships carrying grain, food and other goods intended for global markets.
Dujarric warned that the incidents could also have a significant knock-on effect on commodity prices worldwide. He paid tribute to seafarers continuing to work in dangerous conditions to keep essential goods moving through international shipping routes.
Other vessels attacked in the Black Sea region
Bulgarian officials have reported separate drone attacks on two cargo ships off the country’s coast, one of which sank.
According to the officials, 11 sailors were missing after the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel HS Dignity sank on Tuesday, while five crew members were rescued.
The Maltese-flagged vessel Chelsea 3 was also reportedly hit by drones. All 15 crew members, identified by Bulgarian officials as being from Ukraine, were rescued.
The incidents add to growing concerns over the risks facing commercial shipping in the Black Sea and other strategic maritime corridors.
Dujarric also highlighted the dangers confronting seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, where disruptions have been linked to the wider Iran conflict.
The search for the eight missing crew members from the San Marino-flagged vessel near Romania was continuing as authorities worked to respond to the latest maritime emergency.
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