Conflicting Reports on Casualties After Turkish Cargo Ship Struck in Black Sea

A Turkish-flagged cargo ship was struck on Monday in the Black Sea outside Romanian territorial waters, Romanian broadcaster Digi24 and Israeli news website Walla reported. According to Romanian media reports, a fire broke out aboard the vessel, identified as the Royad Mammadov, after it was reportedly struck by a drone.

Digi24 reported that the ship was carrying grain from the Ukrainian port of Izmail, adding that two people were killed and 11 crew members were rescued in an operation involving two search-and-rescue vessels. In contrast, Walla reported, citing the Romanian Naval Authority, that the ship's captain was injured and 13 crew members were listed as missing.

Further details regarding the circumstances of the incident and the source of the strike have not yet been released.