Politics · India Bureau
Chemical tanker with nine Indian crew reaches Romania safely after drone strike
A chemical tanker hit by a drone off Romania's coast earlier this week has docked safely at Constanta port with all nine Indian seafarers unharmed, according to India's embassy in Bucharest.
LSN India ·
The YARA J, a chemical tanker carrying Indian crew members, arrived at the Port of Constanta on Saturday following the incident at Sulina Anchorage on Wednesday. India's Ambassador to Romania, Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, confirmed the safe arrival after coordinating with Romanian search and rescue authorities, including SAR Romania and MRCC Constanta, as well as the vessel's chief security officer.
"All nine Indian seafarers on board are safe and the vessel has arrived at the Port of Constanta," the Indian Embassy stated in a statement released Saturday. Ambassador Mohapatra assured the crew of the Indian government's continued support and assistance during and after the incident.
The drone strike on the YARA J comes as maritime security concerns persist in key shipping lanes. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reported Friday that another Indian-crewed vessel, the crude oil tanker MT ST 3 carrying 15 Indian seafarers, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on the same day. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as incidents involving commercial vessels continue to affect Indian maritime workers operating in contested waters.