A drone attack on a chemical tanker near Romania left seven crew members missing. Rescue teams are searching the area despite rough sea conditions.
A drone strike left a chemical tanker burning off the coast of Romania on Thursday. Seven of the 12 crew members remain missing after the incident. Authorities launched a search operation in rough seas to find the lost workers.
Also, the vessel, named Wine Trader, reported several explosions early in the morning. It sat 13 nautical miles east of the Danube River. The tanker carried no cargo at the time of the attack.
Next, Romanian officials confirmed the vessel sustained damage from drones. Another ship, the Yara J, suffered a similar strike on Wednesday. Its crew managed to put out the fire on their own.
Meanwhile, the Russian military claims it targeted ships carrying military supplies to Ukraine. However, Kyiv and European leaders argue that Russia attacks civilian vessels. They say these strikes threaten vital shipping routes.
After that, rescue teams deployed two Black Hawk helicopters and two boats. High waves currently make the mission difficult for responders. They prioritize finding the four crew members who survived the blasts.
Still, regional security concerns continue to grow across the Black Sea. Recent drone attacks also hit two merchant ships near the coast of Bulgaria. One of those vessels sank, leaving 11 people missing.
Then, Romanian and Bulgarian leaders planned meetings with NATO officials. They may discuss invoking Article 4 of the NATO treaty. This rule allows allies to consult when they feel their security faces a threat.
Finally, the Romanian president promised an official response from his country. Discussions will focus on adding equipment to protect merchant shipping. Both nations seek to address the escalation of violence in the region.