The chemical tanker YARA J, which was struck by a drone while anchored off Romania, has safely reached the Port of Constanța, with all nine Indian seafarers on board reported safe, the Indian Embassy in Bucharest confirmed on October 17, 2026.
The vessel was hit by a drone on October 14 at Sulina Anchorage in the Black Sea region. Following the incident, Romanian search and rescue authorities coordinated efforts to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the crew.
Indian Ambassador to Romania Manoj Kumar Mohapatra spoke with Romanian search and rescue agencies, including SAR Romania and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Constanța, as well as the vessel’s chief security officer. The embassy confirmed that all nine Indian crew members were safe and that the tanker had arrived at Constanța. The ambassador also assured them of the Indian government’s full support and assistance.
India’s Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, said the government was closely monitoring the incident and maintaining contact with the ship management company. The identities of those responsible for the attack had not been established at the time of the reports.
The incident highlights growing security risks for commercial shipping in the Black Sea, where the Russia–Ukraine conflict has increased threats to vessels operating near key maritime routes. Such attacks raise concerns about crew safety, cargo movements and the reliability of regional shipping operations.
The safe arrival of YARA J provides relief to the families of the nine Indian seafarers and underscores the importance of coordination between diplomatic missions, maritime authorities and ship operators in responding to incidents at sea.