Romania says eight people missing after fire on tanker in its territorial Black Sea waters: news
15-10-2026
Eight Missing After Tanker Fire in Romanian Black Sea Waters: Major Rescue Operation Underway
A major search and rescue operation is underway in the Black Sea after a commercial tanker caught fire within Romanian territorial waters, leaving eight crew members missing and four others rescued.
The MirrorIncident Overview and Casualties
The emergency alert was reported around 7:00 AM local time when a fire broke out aboard the tanker Wine Trader (sailing under the flag of San Marino). The vessel was positioned approximately 13 nautical miles southeast of the Romanian port city of Sulina, near the entrance to the critical Sulina Canal.
The New Indian ExpressCrew on Board: 12 total crew members
The New Indian ExpressConfirmed Safe: 4 rescued
The New Indian ExpressMissing Personnel: 8 crew members
The New Indian ExpressLocation: Romanian territorial waters, northwest Black Sea
The Romanian Naval Authority confirmed that four crew members were successfully evacuated, while maritime rescue unitsincluding specialized patrol vessels and helicopterswere immediately deployed to comb the surrounding waters for the remaining eight missing sailors.
The New Indian ExpressSearch, Rescue, and Investigation
Emergency responders and naval authorities have prioritized locating the missing crew members despite challenging maritime conditions. While the exact origin of the blaze remains under investigation, technical and maritime inspection teams are working to stabilize the area and prevent secondary hazards, such as fuel leaks or navigational blockages along key shipping routes.
Romanian officials have emphasized the gravity of maritime security incidents occurring within national waters, as commercial traffic around the Sulina branch has seen sustained congestion and heightened vigilance due to broader regional security developments in the Black Sea.