A sailor died Thursday after a tanker bound for Ukraine caught fire off Romania’s Black Sea coast, with Romanian authorities investigating a possible connection to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. The vessel, identified as the Liberian-flagged Gas Lisbon, was struck late Monday approximately 20 nautical miles from Romania’s coast.
Romanian emergency services evacuated the entire 17-member crew, including three sailors who sustained injuries. Two of the injured sailors suffered burns to 10-15% of their bodies, while a third sustained multiple wounds. A 45-year-old Philippine national, one of the injured sailors, died Thursday, according to Romanian media outlet news.ro. The hospital director in Tulcea County, Tudor-Ion Nastasescu, stated the sailor experienced airway burns and pulmonary complications related to the injury, which led to his death. The other two injured sailors, also Philippine nationals, are in stable condition in intensive care.
The Gas Lisbon had departed from Alexandria, Egypt, carrying over 3,790 tons of liquefied petroleum gas and was en route to the Ukrainian port of Reni on the Danube River. The incident resulted in significant damage and a fire in the ship's superstructure. While no official cause has been released, Romanian President Nicusor Dan stated that authorities are working to clarify the circumstances, causes, and responsibilities related to the event.
Interviews with two crew members broadcast by Romanian television network Digi24 suggested the ship may have been struck by drones. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Romania and other NATO members have experienced drone incursions from both Russia and Ukraine. In June, a Ukrainian maritime drone being used in the conflict exploded at Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanta, with three other sea drones detonating outside the port without causing injuries. The previous month, a Russian drone involved in an attack on Ukraine veered off course and struck an apartment building in eastern Romania, injuring two people.