Comoros-Flagged Tanker Yara J Struck by Drone in Romanian Territorial Waters
A Comoros-flagged commercial tanker, the Yara J, was struck by a drone in Romanian territorial waters in the Black Sea, triggering a brief explosion and fire that the 17-member crew successfully extinguished, according to reports compiled from regional outlets including Nova.bg and BNT News. The vessel, which was carrying coal or petroleum products toward Ukraine depending on conflicting initial reports, sustained the attack roughly 8 to 10 nautical miles southeast of the Romanian port of Sulina. While local monitoring systems registered aerial activity and scrambled military jets, Romanian defense officials stated that investigations remain underway to definitively confirm whether a drone struck the ship.
Explosion and Fire 8 Miles Off Sulina Port
The incident unfolded shortly before 20:30 local time as the Yara J was anchored or transiting near the maritime border with Ukraine. Nova.bg reported that the 118-meter-long vessel was en route from Turkey to the Ukrainian port of Izmail to load cargo, while other outlets noted it was carrying petroleum or coal products. The ship’s captain contacted authorities by radiotelephone after the upper structure of the vessel was hit, prompting an onboard explosion and fire. The 17-member crew—comprising citizens of Syria, India, and Iran, as reported by Nova.bg and bTV Novinite—organized quickly and extinguished the flames using on-board equipment before requesting outside intervention.
Furthermore, two Russian drones violated Romanian airspace a short while ago, prompting the scrambling of two Spanish F-18 fighter jets and RO-Alert warnings for residents in parts of Tulcea and Galați counties. One target disappeared from radar over the Black Sea, while the… https://t.co/EQrBDStqGQ
Romanian Military Response and Divergent Official Assessments
Following the distress call, the Romanian Ministry of Defense scrambled two F-18 fighter jets after radars detected two aerial targets over the Black Sea. The ministry reported that radar contact with one target was lost over the sea, while the second left Romanian airspace at 20:13 toward the Ukrainian city of Vilkovo. The Romanian Agency for Saving Human Lives at Sea (ARSVOM) dispatched the rescue boat SAR Apollo to the scene. However, Romanian Defense Minister Radu Miruță stated that the vessel’s crew later reported the fire was out, that they required no assistance, and that they declined to enter a Romanian port. Miruță added that defense radars did not register a drone approaching the specific ship and that checks were ongoing to verify the cause of the damage.
Territorial Waters Stance Versus Prior Black Sea Incidents
The strike marks the first reported attack on a commercial vessel inside undisputed Romanian territorial waters, distinguishing it from previous incidents that occurred in Ukraine’s waters or the broader exclusive economic zone. Commander Sandu Valentin Mateiu emphasized the shift to Dnes.bg, stating that the event represents aggression directly on Romanian territory rather than in offshore economic zones. The Yara J subsequently remained afloat with no severe injuries reported among the 17 crew members, as rescue vessels monitored the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the Yara J registered and what was its destination?
The tanker sails under the flag of the Comoros Islands. According to reports from Nova.bg and Dnes.bg, the vessel had departed from Turkey and was traveling toward the Ukrainian port of Izmail when the incident occurred near Sulina.
Were there any casualties among the crew members?
No severe injuries or casualties were reported among the 17 crew members on board. Nova.bg and bTV Novinite confirmed the crew consisted of nationals from Syria, India, and Iran, all of whom participated in extinguishing the fire.
What emergency response vessels were deployed by Romania?
The Romanian Agency for Saving Human Lives at Sea (ARSVOM) dispatched the rescue cutter SAR Apollo to the coordinates reported by the captain.
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