Drone hits cargo ship in Romanian waters, crew unharmed

Incident near Sfântu Gheorghe

On Friday at 21:40, a drone attack on the vessel Larissa 1 was recorded in Romanian territorial waters, approximately 12 kilometres north of the city of Sfântu Gheorghe. The cargo ship, flying the flag of Palau, was heading to the port of Sulina, with Ukraine as the final destination of its route.

Consequences of the impact

According to the ship's captain, there were no injuries among the crew members as a result of the impact. No fire broke out after the strike either. It is noted that the drone destroyed only the cargo crane.

Defence Minister's comment

Romanian Defence Minister Ștefan-Radu Oprea, who was at the military port of Constanța on Saturday, confirmed the incident and stated that the investigation is continuing.

«Ми постійно отримуємо інформацію. Мене також поінформували минулої ночі про влучання безпілотника, постраждалих чи втрат там немає» ("We are constantly receiving information. I was also informed last night about the drone impact; there are no casualties or losses there"), the minister said.

He added that Romanian authorities constantly monitor objects detected on the water or near the country's airspace. The minister recalled that at least two air raid alerts were declared in Tulcea County on Friday.

«Ми бачимо безпілотники, які наближаються до Румунії, її повітряного простору або перебувають на воді. Щоразу ми реагуємо, намагаючись за потреби виявити загрози та запобігти їм, а потім, якщо виникає така необхідність, уражати цілі» ("We see drones approaching Romania, its airspace, or being on the water. Each time we react, trying to detect threats and prevent them if necessary, and then, if such a need arises, to strike targets"), Ștefan-Radu Oprea noted.