Seven sailors missing after drones strike tankers off Romania
publishers 85articles 113first reported 5 Oct, 13:30 UTCdeveloping since 5 Oct · 28 editions
Seven sailors were missing Thursday after drones struck two tankers in Romanian territorial waters near the mouth of the Danube River, setting the vessels on fire, Romanian officials said.
The missing crew members were aboard the San Marino-flagged Wine Trader, which was travelling from Tunisia to Romania. Rescue boats and helicopters were deployed after the tanker reported explosions and a fire about 13 nautical miles east of Sulina. Four of its 12 crew members were confirmed safe. The crew of the Comoros-flagged Yara J, a chemical and oil tanker that also caught fire, were reported safe.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirmed that drones hit the ships but did not publicly assign responsibility. A NATO military source cited by Reuters said the drones were of Russian origin. Russian drones were also detected overnight near Ukraine’s Snake Island, while Moscow said it had struck two cargo ships carrying military supplies to Odesa without naming them.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met Dan and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev in Brussels. Dan said they agreed to strengthen defenses in the Black Sea, and NATO officials said the attacks would be discussed by the North Atlantic Council next week.
The incident followed strikes Tuesday on two merchant ships off Bulgaria. The HS Dignity sank with 11 crew members missing, while all 15 people aboard the Chelsea 3 were rescued.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 240 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 85
- Source articles
- 113
- Given to the writer
- 8, 4 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 240 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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