Seven sailors missing after drones strike tankers in Romanian waters
publishers 87articles 117first reported 5 Oct, 13:30 UTCdeveloping since 5 Oct · 27 editions
Seven sailors were missing after two tankers caught fire following drone strikes in Romanian territorial waters near the mouth of the Danube River, Romanian officials said Thursday.
The missing crew members were aboard the San Marino-flagged *Wine Trader*, which reported explosions and a fire while anchored near the Sulina Canal, a major shipping route. Four crew members were confirmed safe, according to Romanian authorities, which deployed helicopters and rescue boats amid rough seas. All crew members aboard the Comoros-flagged chemical and oil tanker *Yara J* were reported safe after that vessel also caught fire.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan said the ships had been struck by drones but did not publicly assign responsibility. A NATO military source told Reuters that the drones were of Russian origin. Russian drones had been detected overnight near Ukraine’s Snake Island, while Moscow said it struck two cargo vessels carrying military supplies toward Odesa but did not identify them.
The incidents followed several recent drone attacks on commercial shipping near Romania and Bulgaria. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said his government suspected Russia in earlier attacks but lacked firm evidence. After meeting Radev and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Dan said Romania, Bulgaria and NATO had agreed to strengthen defenses in the Black Sea. NATO officials said the issue would be discussed by the North Atlantic Council next week.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 246 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 87
- Source articles
- 117
- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 246 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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