17 sailors rescued after tanker incident in Romania's exclusive economic zone

On July 21, 2026, a Liberian-flagged tanker was damaged while navigating through Romania's exclusive economic zone, leading to a significant rescue operation. Fortunately, all 17 crew members managed to escape to the bow of the ship as the vessel was engulfed in flames.

The crew members were promptly brought to shore by a rescue boat from ISU Tulcea. Following their arrival, they were transferred to the Emergency Reception Unit for medical attention. Among those rescued, three individuals sustained injuries, including two with burns and one suffering from hemorrhage.

The incident occurred approximately 20 nautical miles from Sfântu Gheorghe while the tanker was transporting over 3,700 tons of propane from Egypt to the Ukrainian port of Reni. This alarming event has been linked to the ongoing aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, as indicated by President Nicușor Dan.

The damage to the tanker was severe, particularly to its superstructure, prompting a swift response from Romanian rescue vessels. Bogdan Toma, the spokesperson for the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU), provided details regarding the unfolding situation and the successful operation to save the crew.