Turkish grain carrier sunk after drone strike in Romania's Black Sea exclusive zone
A Turkish vessel loaded with grain was struck by drones in Romania's exclusive economic zone, caught fire and sank, leaving two dead, three injured and eleven crew members rescued.
A Turkish-registered grain carrier was hit by unmanned aerial devices while sailing in Romania's exclusive economic zone of the Black Sea, approximately 20 miles from shore near the Pescăruș platform. The impact triggered a blaze that ultimately caused the vessel to sink in total. Maritime Coordination Centre Constanța called on the Romanian Sea Rescue Agency at 10:37, dispatching SAR APOLLO from Sulina, SAR ARTEMIS from Constanța and later SAR ARES, while the Coast Guard also joined the effort.
Rescue crews managed to save eleven seafarers; two crew members died and three were hospitalized in Constanța County Hospital. This attack mirrors earlier drone strikes on two commercial ships in Bulgaria's exclusive zone, one of which also sank, leading analysts to suggest a new phase of the Black Sea war with Turkish-operated ships becoming focal points. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski both attributed the attacks to Russian forces, warning of broader risks to navigation and grain exports in the region.
Why it matters
The strike highlights a growing threat to commercial shipping and grain supplies in the Black Sea, raising regional security and food-security concerns.
How this story developed
- Oct 5 Fire engulfs vessel near Romania's economic zone, crew evacuated by helicopter
- Oct 5 A helicopter rescued eleven crew members before the ship sank.
- Oct 6 Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the crew of a ship sunk by a drone strike in Bulgaria's Black Sea zone remains missing.
- Oct 6 Prime Minister Rumen Radev convened an emergency government meeting following the attacks.
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