Drone Strike Sinks Cargo Ship Off Romania, Killing One Sailor and Leaving Three Missing
By Gregoire Lory · · TexaHub · Drones, Defence & Security, Geopolitics & Tech
The Comoros-flagged cargo ship Khoryv sank about 13 nautical miles east of Constanta on October 23 after a drone strike. One of its 13 crew died, nine were rescued and three were missing, and Romania's president blamed Russia.
Ship Sinks Near Constanta
A drone hit the Comoros-flagged cargo ship Khoryv in the Black Sea on the morning of Friday, October 23. The ship caught fire and capsized about 13 nautical miles east of the Romanian port of Constanta, just outside Romania's territorial waters. [1] [2]
The crew of 13 was made up of 10 Ukrainian and three Azerbaijani citizens. One sailor died, nine were rescued and three were missing. Romania's Interior Ministry said another commercial vessel picked up the nine survivors and recovered the body. [1] [2]
The Romanian Naval Authority said its Maritime Coordination Center was alerted at around 10 a.m. Türkiye Today reported that an alert message carried the words "Mayday/Drone attack". A Black Hawk helicopter was requested, but poor weather and low visibility kept it from reaching the area, and the search was carried out by vessels from the Coast Guard, the rescue agency ARSVOM and the Interior Ministry. [3] [2]
According to MarineTraffic data cited by the Associated Press, the Khoryv left Turkey on October 21 and was heading for the Romanian port of Sulina. [1]
Bucharest and Brussels Blame Russia
Romanian President Nicusor Dan called the attack "a new example of the tragic consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine" and urged Moscow to accept ceasefire proposals. Euronews reported that Dan said Romania had determined the attack originated in Russia. [1] [2]
Prime Minister Luca Niculescu called the strike "unacceptable" and a violation of international law and freedom of navigation, and said Romania would coordinate with Bulgaria and Turkey. Romania's new defence minister said the army can act only if drones enter Romanian airspace. [2]
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was "deeply alarmed by yet another Russian escalation in the Black Sea". European Council President António Costa said the attacks off EU coasts were increasing and must stop. [2]
Series of Attacks on Shipping
The Associated Press reported that at least seven other cargo vessels had been attacked off Romania and Bulgaria in October, leaving two people dead and 25 missing. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told the European Parliament that vessels had been attacked six times in 10 days. [1] [2]
Romania and Bulgaria have asked NATO for surveillance, control and response capabilities against drones. [2]
Sources
[1] A drone hit and sank a cargo vessel in new Black Sea attack near Romania, killing 1 — Associated Press
[2] Romania and EU accuse Russia of new drone attack as ship capsizes in Black Sea — Euronews
[3] Romania rescues 9 from Black Sea ship after drone attack — Türkiye Today