Propane tanker attacked off the coast of Romania, crew evacuated

The Liberian-flagged propane tanker Gas Lisbon was attacked at night in the Black Sea, about 20 nautical miles off the Romanian coast. This was announced by the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, who stated that the vessel was on fire and, according to preliminary data, had been hit by a maritime drone of unknown origin.

According to him, the tanker had sailed from the Egyptian port of Alexandria and was en route to the Ukrainian port of Reni, located in the Danube Delta region. The incident occurred in an area with heavy maritime traffic, which necessitated immediate safety measures for all vessels in the vicinity.

The crew has been rescued

The President informed that immediately after the distress signal, two rescue units from the Romanian Agency for Maritime Safety were sent to the scene. They evacuated the entire crew of the Gas Lisbon, including three injured sailors, and transported them safely to the shore for medical assistance.

According to Romanian authorities, there are no fatalities in the incident, but the condition of some of the injured sailors requires further examination. The evacuation operation was described as complex due to the ongoing fire on board and the risk of further explosions of the propane cargo.

Suspected maritime drone attack

Romanian media, including Digi24, report that an explosion occurred on board the tanker, after which the ship was engulfed in flames. Sources cited by the television station indicate that the Gas Lisbon was likely attacked by a maritime drone that struck the hull or the superstructure of the vessel.

The origin of the unmanned vehicle has not yet been established, and authorities have not provided official information on which party might be behind the attack. The ship remains about 26 kilometers off the coast of the Romanian town of Sfântu Gheorghe, with the fire ongoing, and specialized teams are monitoring the situation from a safe distance.

Romanian authorities increase readiness

Nicușor Dan stated that state authorities are in a state of high alert and will clarify the circumstances, causes, and responsibility for the incident. He described the event as "part of the Russian Federation's illegal war of conquest against Ukraine," hinting that the attack may be related to Moscow's actions in the Black Sea region.

To ensure the safety of navigation, a warning has been sent to all vessels in the area to avoid the zone around the burning tanker. Captains have been urged to change their courses and maintain enhanced radio communication with Romanian maritime authorities until the situation is brought under control.

Risk to traffic in the Black Sea

The incident with the Gas Lisbon comes against the backdrop of ongoing attacks and incidents related to maritime transport in the Black Sea since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Maritime drones have become one of the key tools in the war, with attacks on tankers and other merchant ships raising questions about the security of civilian shipping in the region.

Analysts note that such cases could have an impact on energy prices and insurance premiums for transporting fuels through the Black Sea. Until the causes and those responsible for the attack are definitively established, the trajectory of the Gas Lisbon will remain an example of the growing risk to commercial vessels in the war zone.