Thirteen sailors are missing and the captain is injured after a suspected drone struck a grain-carrying cargo ship in the Black Sea. The vessel, the Royad Mammadov, had just left the port of Izmail, Ukraine, and was sailing to Ravenna, Italy, when it was hit. A fire has been reported on board, and multiple rescue ships are en route.
Rescue operation launched after strike near oil platform
The Royad Mammadov sails under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The Romanian Agency for Lifesaving at Sea (ARSVOM) said in a statement: “On Monday, 05.10.2026, at 10:37, the Maritime Coordination Center (MRCC) requested the intervention of the Romanian Agency for Lifesaving at Sea (ARSVOM) to carry out a rescue mission to the ship ROYAD MAMMADOV, located in the platform area.”
The “platform” refers to the Pescăruş Platform, an offshore oil and gas installation in the Black Sea. The ship was struck approximately 9 nautical miles from the platform.
Rescue ships heading to vessel
Rescue vessels are now heading to the scene to assist the crew and tackle the reported fire. The incident adds to a series of disruptions affecting shipping in the region.
