Drone Sinks Cargo Ship in Black Sea Near Romania, Killing Sailor
A cargo ship carrying ore and oil sank 13 nautical miles from the Romanian port of Constanța following a drone attack; nine crew members were rescued, one was killed, and three remain missing.
A cargo ship carrying ore and oil, crewed by Ukrainians and Azerbaijanis, was hit off the coast of Romania on Friday, October 23, killing one crew member and leaving three others missing in the latest attack on commercial shipping in the region. The Romanian Naval Authority stated that the vessel sent a distress signal about 13 nautical miles off the coast of Constanța, and that the crew comprised 10 Ukrainians and three Azerbaijanis, with nine being rescued.
Footage released by the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs showed the ship capsized after sinking. It stated that nine crew members were rescued by another commercial vessel in the area and that the body of the deceased sailor was recovered, while search operations for the three missing continue. A coast guard vessel took custody of the nine rescued individuals from the commercial ship that first intervened, while deploying a helicopter was not possible due to bad weather conditions and poor visibility.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan blamed Russia for the attack, describing it as "a new example of the tragic consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine," stating that European security is a shared responsibility and that his country will continue working with the European Union and member states to enhance it. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was "deeply concerned by another Russian escalation in the Black Sea," considering that such attacks "target innocent lives and openly defy international law." European Council President António Costa stated that such attacks off the coast of EU member states are unacceptable and must stop.
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that all three of its citizens on board were rescued, adding that one of them, born in 1992, sustained minor injuries, underwent a medical examination, and was placed in a hotel. The incident comes amid a series of attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea that have raised concerns about an escalation in Russia's war on Ukraine.
What do these terms mean?
Drone: An unmanned aircraft or boat guided remotely, which can be used for attack or surveillance.
Nautical mile: A unit of measurement for distances at sea, equal to approximately 1.852 kilometers.
Cargo ship: A vessel that transports goods or raw materials between ports, with its type varying depending on the cargo.
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