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Ship fire in Romanian waters amid Black Sea drone concerns

Authorities are investigating whether drones were involved as reports say eight of 12 people aboard remain missing.

Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 10:24 UTC3 reports

The short version

  • Romanian authorities reported a fire aboard a ship anchored in territorial waters and said its crew was evacuated.[Al Jazeera]
  • Reports say eight of 12 people aboard are missing after a fire 13 nautical miles southeast of Sulina, with four rescued.[Associated Press · BBC News]
  • Authorities are investigating whether drones were involved, and drones breached Romanian airspace on Wednesday.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera]
  • An investigation is pending, and drone strikes on two ships off Bulgaria on Tuesday left 11 crew members missing.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera · BBC News]

Key facts

  • Romanian authorities said a ship anchored in the country's territorial waters caught fire and its crew was evacuated.[Al Jazeera]
  • Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruta said it was unclear whether a drone hit the Comoros-flagged tanker Yara J and that an investigation was pending.[Al Jazeera]
  • The fire on the Yara J was reported Wednesday evening in Romanian territorial waters, and an acting defence minister said no drone was seen on military radars heading toward that tanker.[Associated Press]
  • Reports say 12 people were aboard when a fire broke out 13 nautical miles southeast of Sulina, with eight missing and four rescued.[Associated Press · BBC News]
  • Multiple drones breached Romanian airspace on Wednesday near the border with Ukraine.[Al Jazeera]
  • A drone briefly entered Romanian airspace at 1:34 a.m. southeast of Sulina, according to the Ministry of National Defense.[Associated Press]
  • On Tuesday, drone strikes on two ships off Bulgaria left one ship sunk and 11 crew members missing.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera · BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • The cause of the fire is not established, and it is unconfirmed whether drones were involved.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera]
  • Reports do not clearly establish whether the Wednesday Yara J fire, where the crew was reported evacuated, is the same incident as the fire with eight people missing.[Associated Press · Al Jazeera · BBC News]
  • The report that the tanker was hit by two drones comes from nearby ships and is not independently confirmed.[BBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.