A merchant ship has sunk off the coast of Romania, the causes are being investigated

A merchant vessel flying the Dominican Republic flag caught fire and later sank in Romania’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. The incident occurred on the evening of August 27, about 20 nautical miles southeast of Sfântu Gheorghe.

Romanian border authorities received a report of a fire on board at around 7 p.m., after which a Coast Guard vessel was dispatched to the area. All 12 crew members were rescued.

According to Romania’s Free Trade Union of Navigators, the crew included eight Ukrainian and four Azerbaijani nationals. The vessel was carrying sugar and, according to available information, there were no hazardous or flammable cargoes on board.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan said the vessel had apparently been hit. However, he stressed that it remains unknown who may have been responsible for the incident or what exactly caused the damage.

An investigation is expected to determine the cause of the fire and sinking. Romanian authorities have not yet drawn conclusions about the circumstances of the incident, while the country’s president urged against speculation until the investigation establishes the cause.

Tags: Romania, Black Sea, merchant ship, Ukraine