Romanian officials investigate fire that sank merchant vessel in Black Sea

On Thursday evening a merchant ship sailing in the Black Sea caught fire and sank after what officials suspect was a hit, President Nicusor Dan reported. The incident took place outside Romania's territorial waters but inside its exclusive economic zone, and the Romanian Border Police confirmed the fire without identifying a cause. Dan cautioned against speculation about the attacker until a formal investigation can establish responsibility.

All twelve individuals on board were saved; ten were rescued by border police, one sustained injuries, and the remaining two were retrieved by the vessel's crew. No information has yet emerged about who might have carried out a strike. The sinking adds to a pattern of escalating attacks on Black Sea shipping and port facilities that has intensified in 2026 following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.