Merchant ship sinks in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania

The “Progress IV” merchant ship, which caught fire on board, has sunk in the Black Sea within Romania’s exclusive economic zone. All 12 crew members were rescued, while one sailor was injured. TodayPress TV reports.

The incident occurred on the evening of August 27, southeast of the Romanian settlement of Sfântu Gheorghe.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan said the vessel had been damaged, but it has not yet been determined who caused the damage or what means were used. This is not the first such incident off the Romanian coast this summer.

At 17:55, the Maritime Coordination Rescue Centre “MRCC Constanța” received a distress signal from the “Progress IV” via the “COSPAS-SARSAT” satellite system. The vessel’s last known position was approximately 15 nautical miles (about 28 kilometers) from the coast. The Coast Guard later reported that the fire had broken out about 20 nautical miles (approximately 37 kilometers) southeast of Sfântu Gheorghe.

Following the distress signal, the merchant vessel “Mohamad B,” Romanian Border Police vessels “MAI 0201,” as well as the “SAR Ares” and “SAR Artemis” rescue vessels, headed toward the “Progress IV.”

Some of the crew members fell into the water. Coast Guard personnel rescued 10 people from the water and took them aboard, while the crew of a nearby merchant vessel rescued two others. By 21:00, all 12 sailors had been rescued. The rescue operation was carried out in conditions with waves approximately 2.5 meters high. One crew member suffered a broken arm. After the crew had been evacuated, the “Progress IV” sank.

Commenting on the incident, Dan said, “The vessel was damaged.” The president emphasized that the incident occurred outside Romania’s territorial waters.

“We currently do not know who caused the damage or precisely what means were used,” Dan said.

According to him, the causes and circumstances of the incident will be determined following an investigation. The president urged against speculation until confirmed information becomes available.