Romania Resumes Search for Seven Missing Tanker Crew

Romanian authorities resumed the search on October 16 for seven sailors missing after a fire aboard the tanker Wine Trader, while five of the vessel’s 12 crew members had been rescued. Officials said rough seas and strong winds were hampering the operation off Romania’s Black Sea coast. The San Marino-flagged chemical tanker sent an emergency alert on October 15 while near Sulina, close to the mouth of the Danube. Early reports said eight crew members were missing and four safe; Romanian authorities later revised the count to seven missing and five rescued. The updated figures were reported as the search continued the following day. A second vessel, the Comoros-flagged chemical and oil tanker Yara J, also caught fire in Romanian waters on October 14. Its crew were reported safe, and the vessel was later towed to Constanța. Romanian officials are investigating the circumstances of both fires. Whether drones caused either fire remains disputed. President Nicușor Dan said drones struck both tankers, while Romanian authorities said the causes had not been established and investigations were ongoing. Defence Minister Radu Miruță said military radar had not detected a drone...