One dead, three missing after ship capsizes off Romania as Costa condemns Black Sea attacks

One sailor died and three were still missing after the Khoryv capsized off Romania’s Black Sea coast on Friday, 23 October. European Council president António Costa condemned attacks on vessels off EU member states’ coasts and expressed solidarity with Romania as rescuers searched for the missing crew.

Romania’s hydrographic service recorded the capsize at 10.06am local time. The maritime authority placed the vessel about 13 nautical miles off Constanța, outside Romanian territorial waters. It said nine of the 13 crew members had been rescued and one body recovered. Radio România Actualități reported on Saturday that five survivors had been taken to hospital, none with serious injuries.

Maritime security firm Ambrey said the Khoryv broadcast a Mayday reporting a drone impact. Romania’s president, Nicușor Dan, also said the ship had been hit by a drone and described the incident as a tragic consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Ambrey assessed it as highly likely that Russian forces carried out the attack, citing the ship’s previous calls at Ukrainian Danube ports and what it described as a consistent targeting pattern. Its assessment does not identify the drone used in this incident.

Costa said such attacks were “unacceptable and must stop”. He said attacks off EU member states’ Black Sea coasts were increasing as a consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and praised the Romanian Coast Guard’s search efforts.

Russia’s defence ministry claimed on Friday to have struck unnamed cargo ships it said were carrying supplies for Ukraine’s military. An earlier briefing referred to a strike overnight; a later statement described one during the day on a ship bound for Odesa. Neither names the Khoryv or provides details that establish a connection to it or its cargo.

Reports also differ on whether the Khoryv sank. A Romanian hydrographic warning said it was still afloat, upside down, after capsizing, and advised other vessels to keep at least one nautical mile away. Radio România Actualități reported on Saturday that it had sunk, without establishing when. The broadcaster said the search for the three missing sailors was continuing that morning.