Black Sea Attack: 11 Saved as Turkish Ship Sinks After Drone Strike
Romanian rescue operation retrieves 11 survivors and two bodies from the 6,933 dwt Royad Mammadov.
Romanian rescue teams saved 11 seafarers and recovered the bodies of two crewmembers after the Turkish-owned cargo ship Royad Mammadov sank in the Black Sea following a reported drone strike. The vessel, carrying a cargo of corn from Izmail to Italy, issued a distress call at 10:37 a.m. local time on October 5 while navigating Romania’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The 6,933 dwt vessel, built in 2006 and registered in St. Kitts and Nevis, was carrying a crew of 13, Turkish and Azerbaijani nationals, when it was attacked approximately 20 miles offshore, near Romania’s offshore oil platforms. Ukrainian authorities assert the ship was struck by two drones, though Romanian officials have not confirmed the cause of the incident. Images released by Romania’s Agency for Rescue of Human Life at Sea (ARSVOM) show scorch marks on the deckhouse and the vessel listing at the stern.
Rescue Operation Amid Rising Tensions in the Black Sea
ARSVOM deployed rescue vessels, military helicopters, and border police to the scene. Several injured crewmembers were airlifted to shore for medical treatment. Ukrainian reports indicate the vessel’s captain was killed, and one other seafarer was initially missing before Romanian authorities confirmed the recovery of two bodies. The Royad Mammadov had loaded its cargo of corn at the Ukrainian port of Izmail and was en route to Italy when the attack occurred.
The ministry reiterated its call for an immediate moratorium on attacks against merchant ships and port infrastructure, a demand it has raised repeatedly at the United Nations General Assembly. The statement highlighted the critical role of the Black Sea corridor, which handles 20-30 percent of globally traded wheat and grain and 50 percent of global sunflower seed oil exports.
“Romania supports an immediate moratorium on attacks against merchant ships and port infrastructure.”
Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs·Government spokesperson
Turkey’s Diplomatic Efforts and the Human Cost of Maritime Conflict
Turkey, which has repeatedly attempted to broker a ceasefire for attacks on commercial shipping, has also protested the targeting of its citizens working aboard vessels in the region.
The rescue operation, while successful in saving 11 lives, serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities of civilian shipping in conflict zones.
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