Crew Member Killed When Ukrainian‑Bound Gas Tanker Ignites Off Romanian Coast

BUCHAREST, Romania — A sailor who was injured in the fire aboard a Ukraine‑bound tanker off Romania’s Black Sea coast has died, according to Romanian media, which said investigators are probing a possible connection to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The Liberian‑flagged vessel Gas Lisbon was en route to a Ukrainian port when it was struck about 20 nautical miles off Romania’s coast on Monday night, President Nicușor Dan stated on Tuesday.

Romanian authorities responded, boarding the ship and evacuating all 17 crew members, three of whom were injured—two with burns covering roughly 10‑15 % of their bodies and a third with multiple wounds, per the Department for Emergency Situations.

On Thursday, news.ro reported that a 45‑year‑old Philippine crew member had died.

Tudor‑Ion Nastasescu, director of Tulcea County Hospital, said the sailor suffered a airway burn and a pulmonary complication from the injury, which led to his death.

He added that the remaining two Philippine nationals are receiving intensive‑care treatment and are reported to be stable.

The ship had left Alexandria, Egypt, and was bound for Reni, Ukraine, on the Danube River, carrying more than 3,790 tons of liquefied petroleum gas.

Romania’s Department for Emergency Situations said the incident caused extensive damage and a fire in the vessel’s superstructure, while President Dan noted that authorities would clarify the circumstances, causes, and responsibilities.

On Tuesday, Digi24 aired interviews with two crew members who said they suspected the vessel had been hit by several drones.

Since Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a series of drone incursions by both Russian and Ukrainian forces have targeted Romania and other NATO countries.

In June, a Ukrainian maritime drone exploded at Constanta’s Black Sea port, and three additional sea drones detonated nearby; fortunately, no injuries were reported.

A month earlier, a Russian drone stray from an attack on Ukraine struck an apartment building in eastern Romania, injuring two residents.

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